Vicki Lynn Mansfield

Vicki Lynn Mansfield was born on April 8,1944 in Berkeley, California, to Lynn Albrecht and Grace (Miles) Albrecht, both originally from Ryegate, Montana. She grew up in Alameda where her father worked as an electrician at the Naval Air Station. While she lived in California, she spent nearly every summer of her life with her family in Montana, first as a child and later continuing the tradition with her husband in their motor home.

After graduating from Encinal High School, Vicki obtained her bachelor's degree and teaching credential from San Francisco State University and became a business and computer applications teacher. In 1967 she started her first teaching job at San Ramon Valley High School in Danville, California where she met and married Jack Mansfield, a history and speech teacher who was also a proud ex-Marine and member of the Chosin Few. They were married for 29 years until his passing in 2001.

In 1973, Vicki accepted the challenge of opening a new high school and became part of the inaugural faculty of California High School in San Ramon where she taught until her retirement in 1999. It was there that she met her life-long friends Jan Blaedel, Susan Carter, Elaine McClellan, Susan Woodin and the late Shirley Wible. A young colleague later dubbed them "the Golden Girls."

They had many good times together over the years, especially celebrating each other's birthdays with themed parties that reflected the honoree. For Vicki, the themes included her favorite color pink, milk chocolate, horses, football, cowboys, country/western music and all things Elvis. For her 75th birthday, the Golden Girls took Vicki on a surprise trip to Memphis to visit Graceland and other Elvis haunts. While they had lots of fun times together, they also supported each other during the sad times, especially at the loss of a spouse.

In addition to teaching, Vicki was very involved with students outside of the classroom as Director of Student Activities and a class advisor. She could often be found working on homecoming floats or chaperoning dances and was also always willing to participate in activities such as donkey basketball or a faculty basketball game against the Oakland Raiders.

Vicki loved to watch football and had a great knowledge of the sport. She was an avid Raiders fan, even after they deserted Oakland – twice. She and Jack had season tickets and her loyalty to the silver and black never waned.

Vicki was the most caring and giving person one could know. This was exemplified best by her devotion to Jack who suffered a stroke in 1981 when he was in his early 50's. It left him partially disabled, but Vicki made sure that his life was rich and full. They regularly socialized with friends, took cruises and traveled in their motor home with Vicki handling all the responsibilities. She never complained and was always the first person to offer help and support to friends who were in need. One of her colleagues said that she was the closest thing he knew to a saint.

Though she lived in California, Vicki was a country girl at heart and her heart was in Montana. She recently moved to Billings with the hopes of spending her last years under the Big Sky. Unfortunately, Vicki passed on October 21, 2025 from respiratory failure resulting from complications from surgery.

Vicki is survived by her cousins Robert Bruner of Myrtle Beach, SC; David (and Patti) Bruner of Ryegate, MT; Gordon (and Susan) Bruner of Billings, MT; Dale Bruner of Billings, MT; and Kay Klepey of Ryegate, MT. She is also survived by Jack's niece Lindsey Palmer of Grants Pass, OR, and her many loving friends, especially the Golden Girls.

Memorial gatherings in Montana and California will be held at a later date.

Vicki was a beloved friend who had a lasting impact on those who knew her. She will always be missed and forever loved.