MaeBelle Gullickson: 1935-2020

MaeBelle Gullickson age 85, of Sioux Falls, S.D. passed away Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. A celebration of her life was held Aug. 17 at Peace Lutheran Church, with burial at the Salem American Lutheran Cemetery, rural Freeman, S.D.

MaeBelle Harriet Johnson, daughter of Harry and Helene (Trobak) Johnson, was born Feb. 10, 1935 in Sioux Falls. She was raised in Crooks, S.D., until the age of eight, when her family moved to Sioux Falls. She graduated from Washington High and then attended South Dakota State University.

On Nov. 20, 1954 she was united in marriage to Kenneth Gullickson in Sioux Falls. The couple made their home in Freeman. In addition to being a loving homemaker and mother, MaeBelle worked as a bookkeeper for various places in Freeman, as well as selling real estate and insurance. Kenneth passed away in 1984 and she moved to Sioux Falls in 2002.

MaeBelle was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, past member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and Salem American Lutheran Church, both in Freeman. She was very active in church groups and Bible study. MaeBelle also was involved in Sweet Adeline’s in Yankton, S.D. and Sioux Falls, Quartet Groups, and Hutchinson County Extension Club. She enjoyed singing, outings with friends, attending musicals, but her favorite activity was grandchildren events and spending time with them.

Grateful for having shared her life are her children: Shana (Kevin) Smidt, Menno, S.D., Sheryl Marshall, Waukee, Iowa, Shawn (Russ), Sioux Falls and Greg (Tonya) Gullickson, Sioux Falls; her grandchildren: Braden (Jess Peschong) Smidt, Megan Smidt, Paul (Katie) Marshall, Chris (Josh) Malone, Cole (Jess) Wingen, Kylie (Jeremy) Wendling, Annie Wingen, Blake and Evan Gullickson; seven great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Her parents; husband, Kenneth; son in-law, Douglas; sister, Marcene; and brothers Dicky, Richard and Ronald, preceded her in death.