Laura Ellen Pickett, 61, of Manhattan, passed away Tuesday, July 31st, in Manhattan.

Laura Bradford was born in Manhattan, on May 12, 1951, the daughter of the late Rosanna Ruth (Leiver) Bradford and Charley Jackson Bradford, Sr. She worked as a shirt presser for Stickel's Dry Cleaning and Laundry in Manhattan, was a driver for Bell Taxi, a house keeper for many of the local motel's and a family care giver. Laura was a former member of the Manhattan Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #2468 Women's Auxiliary and a member of the Citizens Band, Pottawomie Tribe. She also enjoyed fishing, hunting, collecting Elvis memorabilia, was an avid bingo player and enjoyed cross word puzzles. On Nov. 14, 1986 she married Larry Eugene Pickett, who died on June 21, 2010.

Laura is survived by a son, Robert (Jamie) Farmer of Manhattan, her stepchildren; Cindy Springer of Manhattan, Joey Pickett of Marion, Jackie Philips of Louisiana, Tony Pickett of Manhattan, Tricia Henkins of Wamego, Crissy Platt of Manhattan, two sisters, Eileen Reyes, of Manhattan, Janette Williams, of Logan, Ohio, a brother, Charley J. Bradford, Jr. of Manhattan as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Laura was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother; Dennis Bradford, sisters Marian Bradford-Pickett, Linda Bradford, Helen Bradford, and Dorothy Bradford.

The family request donations to the Terry C. Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research, 1 Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, Ks 66506.