Sunday, February 24, 2008

Mike Gullickson

In Madison for Mike Gullickson's funeral. He was truly a great, big-hearted guy who lost his life in a really tragic snowmobile accident on Wednesday. God has a plan for all of us, even if it's tough to understand for those of us who are left behind.

Here are the details from the Wisconsin State Journal.

Gullickson, Michael P. "Gulli"
RIDGEWAY
Michael P. "Gulli" Gullickson, age 37, of Ridgeway, died on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008, from injuries due to a snowmobile accident near Mount Horeb. Mike was born on July 23, 1970, in Madison, to Harold and Bonnie (Brink) Gullickson. He was a 1988 graduate of Dodgeville High School, and a graduate of UTI Tech of Phoenix, with a degree in H.V.A.C. Mike worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Madison. He was a member of the Ridgeway Riders Snowmobile Club and A.B.A.T.E. Mike lived life to the fullest and enjoyed snowmobiling and riding motorcycles. His positive, loving ways will always be remembered along with his saying that, "you don't say goodbye without saying I love you." He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Glenn Gullickson, Wayne Brink, Loren and Ruth Gutherz and Jerome Skindrud; a brother-in-law, Mark Olson; an uncle, Dennis Brink; and a cousin, Michael Brink. Mike is survived by the love of his life, his "Little Princess" Halle Kiesling of Cross Plains; his fiancée, Dena Ellery and her children, Jaymi and Wes Ellery of Ridgeway; his mother, Bonnie and Bill Skindrud of Mount Horeb; his father and best friend, Harold "Chick" and Julie Gullickson of Arena; his stepmother, Jan Gutherz of Dodgeville; two sisters, Heidi (Paul) Heuring and their children, Joel, Will and Natalie of Appleton, and Kelsi Gullickson and her children, Jordan Slack and Jenna Knoble of Mount Horeb; step-brothers and step-sisters, Melissa Olson and her children, Zachary, Miranda and Kiera of Mount Horeb, Billy (Ronda) Skindrud and his children, Lucas Danz, Morgan Danz and Jordan Oyen of Mount Horeb, Michael Elhert of Portland, Ore., Colin Elhert of Madison, and Lindsey Elhert of Madison; grandparents, Gladys Gullickson of Ridgeway, Alice Brink of Mount Horeb, Alma Skindrud of Mount Horeb, Bob Hill of Dodgeville and Betty Hill of Spring Green; a very special friend, Al Kaul of Menasha; as well as aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends. Funeral services will be held at noon on Monday, Feb. 25, 2008, at the BARNEVELD LUTHERAN CHURCH. Pastor Jack Way will officiate with burial in Eastside Cemetery in Ridgeway. Friends may call at the church on Monday after 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated. The Lulloff-Peterson-Houck Funeral Home, Dodgeville is serving the family.

Mike, May you soar with the angels, with the wind beneath your wings. We will always love you.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mark,
I am very sorry to hear about your family's loss. Mike sounds like a great guy, and his absence will, I am sure, leave a tremedous void in the lives of those he touched. My prayers are with your family.

Regards,
Rich

Mr. D said...

Thanks, Rich. Mike was a great guy and he left way too soon. He just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. And he is greatly missed; there were probably 350-400 people in the little church in Barneveld where the funeral took place today and I would estimate that the church seats maybe 200-250 people.

Best,
Mark

Leo Pusateri said...

Mark--I'm so sorry to hear about such a tragedy!

I know the Barneveld and Dodgeville areas very well... always seemed like some mighty nice folks there.

May the LORD lend his comfort to the family and friends of Mike; and may his Perpetual Light and Countenance shine upon him!