Orville L. Gullickson, 92, Taylor, died Monday, October 25, 2010 at St. Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck. Orville’s funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Friday, October 29, 2010 at the Immanuel Church of Taylor with Pastor Bob Wittstruck officiating. Burial will be at Taylor Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday beginning at 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. with a Time of Sharing at 7 p.m., the family will be present to greet guests from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m..

Orville was born January 4, 1918 on the family homestead north of Taylor, to Lewis and Clara (Knutson) Gullickson (making him 100% Norwegian). Orville attended country school until his help was needed on the farm. In 1974 Orville received his high school diploma, a goal he was very proud of accomplishing! He married Lois McKirdy on November 16, 1941 at Wibaux, Mont.. Orville joined the US Navy in September 1942 and upon completion of boot camp at Great Lakes, Ill. he reported for duty at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Orville served as a Machinist Mate in the Pacific Theater for 26 months. In 1945 Orville was stationed at San Diego, Calif. where worked as a section leader doing repairs on ships. After his Honorable discharge in October 1945 he returned home to Lois and their daughter, Judith. Together, they made their home in Taylor where they farmed and raised cattle and hogs through 2009. Orville was an excellent mechanic and often came up with his own repair techniques.

Orville was very active in the Taylor community where served on the Taylor City Counsel, United Church of Christ board, and was the very first Rural Fire Chief of Taylor. Orville was a life member of a number of organizations which include, the Veterans of Foreign Wars where he served at every level of state as well as several regional and national positions, AmVets, American Legion, Cooties, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and ND Fire Fighters Assoc.. He also was a proud member of the NRA, the Dakota Western Auto Club, Immanuel Church of Taylor, and Stark County Selective Service Board and the board for the VFW Home for Veterans in Lisbon. He was especially proud of his involvement with the VFW National Home for Children of which he served a six year term as District 9 Trustee. Orville was part of the Roughrider Honor Flight this September traveling to Washington, DC to be honored for his WWII service. Orville embraced each day God gave him and lived it to the fullest. He was a true example of loving your fellow man.

Orville is survived by his wifeof almost 69 years, Lois, Taylor, four children and 14 grandchildren, Judith Bowden, Madras, Ore. (Jeffrey, Mikal, Alice, and Amy), Jerrel (Linda) Gullickson, Dickinson, (Jerrel Jr., Todd, Gail, and Sarah), Fayette (Gary) Heidecker, Dickinson, (Justin and Jaden), and Glenn (Victoria) Gullickson, Taylor, (Kodi, Lee, Chad, and Ashley); 13 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Edna (Lyle) Irwin, Evelyn Hermann, Blanche Naumann, and Georgene (Leonard) Bernhardt; two brothers, Grant (Cecelia) Gullickson and Ole (Gloria) Gullickson; one brother-in-law, Tony Kolar, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by one son, Dennis, one son-in-law, Carl Bowden, two sisters, Elsie Schlapfer and Clarice Kolar, one sister-in-law, Beatrice Gullickson, and three brothers-in-law, Al Hermann, Earl Naumann, and Harley Schlapfer.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be given to: VFW National Home for Children, 3573 S. Waverly Rd., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827-9718 or donate blood to your local blood collection center as Orville donated regularly until his 80th birthday. Military honors will done by Bismarck VFW Post #1326.