Barbara Anne Nielsen Gullickson • 1946 - 2010

Surrounded by her husband and children, Barbara Anne Nielsen Gullickson, 63, Fargo, formerly of the Columbus and Bowbells areas, went home to live with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ following a 5-1/2-year battle against ovarian cancer, on Sunday, February 14, 2010.
 
Born in 1946 in Noonan, ND to Howard “Sam” and Arlos (Steffensen) Nielsen, Barb was baptized in her grandmother’s living room and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, Columbus, ND.  Barb grew up on the Twin Springs Farm & Nielsen Hereford Ranch near Noonan, ND.  Homesteaded by her grandparents, the farm was well-known, and Barbara was proud that its round barn was listed on the National Historical Registry. 

Barb attended school in Noonan and Columbus, graduating from high school in Columbus in 1964.  In 1968, Barb met and married Dennis Gullickson of Bowbells.  She graduated from Concordia College, Moorhead, in 1970 with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology and philosophy.  Barb and Dennis worked together as a team to operate their farm and raise their family in the Noonan and Bowbells areas.  A gifted writer, Barb put her talents to good use as a writer and photographer for the Burke County Tribune and numerous other publications.  In more recent years, Barb worked as a medical transcriptionist for MedQuist.  After retiring from farming and moving to Fargo in 2006, Barb managed apartment buildings for Bella Properties. 

Throughout her lifetime, Barb was active in the American Legion Auxilliary, Homemakers, Bethlehem and Trinity Lutheran Churches in Bowbells and Columbus, ND Jayceettes, and the Western ND Synodical Women’s Organization of the ELCA.  While involved in Jayceettes, Barb earned national awards as an outstanding district director in 1979-80 and outstanding regional director in 1980-81.  As 1981-82 President of the North Dakota Jayceettes, Barb led her state to #8 honors in the parade of states.  She later participated in the ND JCI Foundation, serving one year as president.  Barbara was a certified speaker for Adults Saving Kids (ASK), an organization working against sexual exploitation.  She was the first facilitator of ASK NAC.  From 2001-2003, Barb served as Mission Growth Chairperson for the Western North Dakota Synodical Women’s Organization of the ELCA, and then from 2003-2005 as the organization’s Vice President.  Having completed the GIFTS program, Barbara occasionally provided pulpit supply for Trinity and Christ Lutheran Churches.

Barb will be remembered for her strength and determination, her work ethic and her spirit, but most of all, her faith in Jesus.  Determined to beat the statistics of her cancer diagnosis, Barb succeeded in living to see her oldest granddaughter reach many milestones, as well as the births and early childhoods of her next two grandchildren.  Grandma Barb relished her role as grandma and could always be counted on to plan some fun, whether it be a tea party, sports activity or science project.  She modeled a zest for life and a rock solid faith in Christ.

Barb is survived by Dennis, her husband of 41 years; sister Candace (Jerry) Falck, Lignite, ND; daughter Heather (Bill) Cowden, Menomonie, WI; son Travis (Erica) Gullickson, Maple Grove, MN; grandchildren McKenna Gullickson, Gunnar Cowden, and Lillian Gullickson; and many special nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends.  Barb is preceded in death by her parents, Howard “Sam” and Arlos Nielsen, and her infant brother, David. 

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 26, 2010, at 11 am at Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbus, ND. 

Visitation:  There will be no reviewal, but friends may sign the guest register Friday, one hour prior to the service in the church.

A private burial will be held at a later time.

Memorials will be used to establish a scholarship at Concordia College in Barbara’s name.

Officiating Clergy: Rev. Phyllis Scroggins

Readings: Rev 21:1-7, John 14:1-4, 1 Peter 1:3-9 and Micah 6:8

Music: Congregational Hymns: “How Great Thou Art” and “Beautiful Savior
Kathy Fagerland, organist

Special Music
Processional, “I Got Shoes” “You Raise Me Up” and ‘I Can Only Imagine”
Recessional, “Hark I Hear the Harps Eternal”

Honorary Bearers: All of Barb’s many cherished family and friends

Following the service everyone is invited to join the family for lunch and fellowship in the lower level of the church.

Our family would like to thank everyone for the many acts of kindness shown during Barb’s illness and now at this difficult time.  Your thoughts and prayers are deeply appreciated and will never be forgotten.

To sign the online guest register for Barb
To view the online guest register for Barb

To view the outside of Barb's folder
To view the inside of Barb's folder

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