Melvin W. Gullickson

Melvin William  “Uncle Mel”  Gullickson
August 8th, 1934 - January 16th, 2023

Formerly of Allenton, WI., Hancock, WI., and currently Iola, WI., passed peacefully on Jan. 16th, 2023 after a recent cancer diagnosis on Oct. 17th, 2022.

Well, as much as I do not want to admit this, as stubborn as you all think I am, if you are reading this, I must have expired.
I guess, “people are dying nowadays that never died before. Every day I woke up, I knew I was one day closer to my funeral.”
Those days of saying, “It’s going to be a good day if my name isn’t in the obituaries” have come and gone.
Now, it’s a great day because I have made it into heaven!
These are a few more “Melvinisms” I have collected in my 88 Double Peachy years on this Earth.
I now leave them to my children to continue my legacy down the line. I will finally be able to hear you all clearly again and smile and laugh with you.
This brings me to how it all began…
My born on date was stamped on Wednesday August 8, 1934 in West Allis, Wisconsin by my parents, George and Loretta (Holzmann) Gullickson.
I am sure I was already born, smart, quick witted, and reliable for a laugh or two. Did I mention good looking? Not sure if I am best in show of all my  siblings. This is my competition…
Katie (Earl 2011) Volk, Carthage, MO., Richie (Pat) Gullickson, Ogdensburg, WI., Joani (Gary) Hamielec, McFarland, WI., and my half sister Pat (Herb) Kampmann.

As two paths crossed and became one road…
I married my best friend and the love of my life Carol Dorothy (Goeden) Gullickson on October 20, 1956 at Sacred Heart church in Allenton, WI. where we traveled together for 66 years. Our own route 66!

I have had many accomplishments in my day, but these are my greatest…
Tom H. Gullickson, Slinger, WI., Annette C. (Tom) Braatz, Utah, John R.(8/27/1961-4/15/1966), Lori L.[Loretta] (Grant McWhinnie) Tustin, CA., Jim M. (Kathy) Gullickson, Michael J. (Dina) Gullickson

Along with their greatest joys, our grandchildren…
Leah [Tom], Lisa (Dean), Allison [Annette & Tom], Adam, Erica, Brian, Corwin [Lori], Nolan (Brooke) [Jim & Kathy], Melanie (Dan), Cindya [Michael & Dina]
Great grandchildren…
Irene [Lisa], Addyson, Devany, Roan, Alessa, Lincoln, Lorelei [Erica], Nova Lea [Nolan & Brooke], Brendan, Mirabella [Melanie & Dan]

Proceeded in passing by my loving parents George & Loretta and our Angel Johnny.

Bragging Rights… (because I can now ;)

Proud Owner and maker of “wonderful” memories at Carmel Lanes Allenton, WI.  Knocking down pins and drinks for 20 years!
School Bus Driver for Slinger/Allenton and Hancock, WI for 24 years, watching kids grow one year at a time!

I have many passions in life, but giving back and saving lives with blood and platelet donations was top on my list. I have been a donor at the Blood Center since 1986, tallying 67 gallons in whole blood, 175 platelet donations from 2009 to 2020. My volunteer hours along with my beautiful bride were 58 service hours. I guess you could say the blood center became part of the family. May God bless all the donors and all of the wonderful workers there. Sadly, my last day I was able to donate was in June 2020. That was when this old drum started to run dry. Unfortunately, I needed to trade my blood in to receive a few pints of someone else’s. Just like sitting at the school lunch table trading my PB&J for Jimmy Volk’s liverwurst sandwich. Then almost like a lays potato chip slogan goes I needed more units as if to say, “I betcha don’t need just one!”
Please donate and saves lives, it saved mine a few times!

Tooting my own horn…
I belonged to and was an officer of many organizations:
ARC-Association for Retarded Children, Cub Scouts Chairman, Club Officer for the Allenton Sno Pacers, Board of Directors and and former President of the Wisconsin and Washington County Tavern League, American Cancer Society Washington County, State Board of Directors & Volunteer Driver for 15 years, Slinger and Allenton Rotary Board of Directors, Allenton Lions Club, Kettle Moraine Klassic Kar Klub (KKKK), FFA Alumni, H.A.V.A.
I was the proud recipient of a few awards in my life including a Paul Harris Rotary Award, a 12 Who Care Award, and a Certificate of Heroism from the Blood Center to name a few.

Woodworking and donating my pieces to various organizations for auction to help raise money, giving family, friends, fellow service men, women, and veterans my hand crafted items, made from the heart was important to me. I hope you all have something to remember me, that makes you smile. I was asked many times how do you make those projects? If I was making a bowl, well, all you have to do is cut away everything that doesn’t look like a bowl! If I was making a Penguin, All you have to do is cut away everything that doesn’t look like a Penguin, and so on.

Don’t be sad, I lived a blessed life. I love you all very much!
Now have one for me, Skål!

“I always say that sometimes”

God bless you all,
Uncle Mel.

In Lieu of flowers please make an appointment to Donate Blood at your local Blood Center (www.communityblood.org  1 800-747-5401)
Heart Association, or the American Cancer Society. Shake the hand of a Veteran and thank them for their Service.

A special thank you to all the Doctor’s, Nurse’s, CNA’s and Iola EMT’s for all your loving care. You do not go unnoticed and are appreciated!


 

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