Lois Gullickson, 91, Taylor, died Friday, October 11, 2013 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. Lois’ funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, October 17, 2013 at Immanuel Church of Taylor, with Rev. Bob Wittstruck officiating. Interment will follow at the Taylor Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with a time of sharing at 7 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.
Lois Fayette McKirdy was born December 9, 1921 in Poland, N.D., the 9th of 16 children to Herbert and Dagmar (Miller) McKirdy. The family moved to Gladstone where she grew up and graduated in 1939 from Gladstone High School. Lois took over as mother of her younger siblings while still a senior in High School, and stayed as such for 2 years after graduating due to the death of her mother.
On November 16, 1941 Lois with the love of her life, Orville Gullickson of Taylor, eloped to marry at Wibaux, Mont. Orville joined the US Navy in September 1942 leaving Lois and newborn daughter, Judith for the next three years. During this time she traveled by train to San Diego, Calif. to spend time with Orville while he was on leave. She ended up staying there several months and working in a parachute factory. After Orville’s return in October 1945, together they made their home in Taylor, where they farmed and raised their family of five. Lois helped out driving grain truck and to help support the family she sold Rahleigh products from her 1947 Ford throughout Stark and Dunn counties. Dad removed the back seat to stock the most popular items and many times accompanied by her daughter Judith. Later she sold Avon and then Tupperware with her daughter Fayette. She also worked for the city of Taylor as accessor and collecting dog licenses, janitor of the church for many years and always worked on the election boards.
Lois was very active in the Taylor community and United Church of Christ Church, of which she was still a member. She was a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary where she served on many levels, and a lifetime member of the VFW Home for Children. Also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Dakota Car Club. Lois served as a board member of the ND Lung Association for many years and enjoyed the politics of the Silver-Haired Legislature. Lois was most committed to serving her church which she did through the Ladies Aide and mission work. She was also a member of the Taylor Senior Citizens and enjoyed the fellowship, meals and parties.
Lois shared a great love for the outdoors along with her siblings and always had many houseplants, flowerbeds and vegetable gardens. She was especially fond of spring crocuses and sunflowers. In her later years she developed a passion for antiquing (due to tagging along to auction sales with her husband). Her favorite items to collect were toothpick holders and she amassed a very large collection. She was a member of the National Toothpick Collectors Association. Throughout her life music was a great love from singing to playing piano. Under the Double Eagle and Midnight Fire Alarm were two of her favorites to play and she never forgot how to play these. With Orville they shared a passion for traveling and took many trips throughout the country for VFW events. They especially enjoyed their Caribbean cruise for their 50th anniversary. They enjoyed it so much they repeated the exact same trip a year later.
She entered St. Benedict’s in April 2011 and embraced this last chapter of her life attending weekly church services, bible studies and the socializing with her fellow residents. She could be found pulling her wheelchair down the hall singing and greeting everyone occasionally stopping at the piano to play her favorite hymns. She never hesitated to share her love for Jesus and witnessed this to the very end through her singing, humor and love for all.
Lois is survived by her four children and 14 grandchildren, Judith Bowden, Madras, Ore. (Jeffrey, Mikal, Alice (Doug) and Amy (Ron)), Jerrel (Linda) Gullickson, Dickinson, (Jerrel Jr., Todd, Gail (Dave), and Sarah), Fayette (Gary) Heidecker, Dickinson, (Justin (Kelsey) and Jaden), and Glenn (Victoria) Gullickson, Taylor, (Kodi (John), Lee (Lindsey), Chad, and Ashley); 16 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Also her siblings Wayne McKirdy and Stanlie Kreitinger; and Goddaughter Linda (Enger) Johnson.
Lois was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Orville, on October 25, 2010; son Dennis; son-in-law Carl Bowden; her parents; nine sisters; and four brothers.
Memorials may be given in Lois’s honor to the Immanuel Church of Taylor or your charity of choice.
