Douglas “Doug” Gullickson, 84, Des Moines, IA, died on Sunday, September 21, 2025 at Mercy Hospital, Des Moines. Doug’s Funeral Service will be at 1 p.m., Thursday, October 2, 2025 at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with Rev. Mike Pretzer as officiant. Interment will follow at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Cemetery, New England. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
Douglas Gullickson was born on October 19, 1940, the son of Alfred and Dorothy (Bohnhoff) Gullickson. He grew up on the family farm west of New England in Slope County. He attended country school through eighth grade. Following the passing of his dad, they moved to New England where Doug attended New England Public School, having graduated in 1958. While in high school, he worked to set bowling pins, was a caregiver for H.O. Rustan, stoked the furnace for the banker in the winter, and worked summers farming with his uncle, Clair Strom.
Following graduation, he worked at a service station, Farmers Equity Elevator, and a farmer for two years. Doug attended one quarter at Dickinson State College, but it wasn’t his cup of tea, so he went on to attend Wahpeton State School of Science from 1962-1963, majoring in Diesel Engineering. He went to work for Tri-County Equipment for International Harvester, Steiger Tractors, and Owatanna Swathers for 20 years until 1980.
In 1980 Doug met and married his wife Darlene Joyce “DJ” (Weideman) Kulawik at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, New England. They made their home in Dickinson where they built a beautiful home four miles north of Dickinson on some acreage. He worked for Cenex Car Care for a few years and then began a 20 year career as a wrencher at Sax Motors Chevrolet, Oldsmobile and Cadillac dealership, finally retiring in 2006. He was also active in the New England Fire Department, ambulance crew, Jaycees, and bowling league.
Doug and Darlene were active in square dancing, snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, and camping. He was a baker of lefse, lefsa chips, caramel rolls, and pumpkin bread. Doug was baptized, confirmed member of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, New England.
He made many trips to Canada fly fishing with many New England special friends. Doug also did a lot of fishing and camping at Lake Sakakawea. He hunted every year, until 2017, for deer, pheasants, partridge, and grouse. He loved snowmobiling and made many trips to the Black Hills, and Big Horn Mountains in Montana and Wyoming. Doug traveled extensively in CA, OR, WY, ID, SD, WA, IL, MI, PA, MO, NE, MN, NV, UT, WI, NM, and AZ.
While attending Wahpeton State School of Science, he met a college gal from MN, but they married other people. In 2014 after both of their spouses were deceased he reconnected with Ellen Hexum Bergerson from Des Moines, IA. They traveled and had fun together.
Doug is survived by his many nieces, nephews; and special friend, Ellen Bergerson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene, in 2009; his parents, Alfred and Dorothy Gullickson; grandparents, Leo and Carrie Gullickson and Louie and Louise Bohnhoff; his brother, Clyde (Darlene); sister, Hedy Bohlman; brother-in-law, Marvin Bohlman.
Blessed be the memory of Douglas Alfred Gullickson.
