Obituary of Muriel Gullickson

B I O G R A P H Y Gullickson: Muriel Gullickson of Lloydminster passed away in The Dr. Cooke Extended Care Centre, Lloydminster on Sunday, November 7, 2004 at the age of 85 years. The funeral service was conducted from The McCaw Funeral Chapel, Lloydminster on Friday, November 12, 2004 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Norm Laird officiating. The eulogy was given by her niece Deb Hines. A solo “Amazing Grace” was sung by Marge Purves. A special song “Why Me, Lord” by Kris Kristofferson was played on tape. The congregational hymn was “The Old Rugged Cross.” The pallbearers were her nephews: Monte Kelliher, Warren Kelliher, Gary Grant, Glen Purves, Dave Hines and Bob Panian. Donations in memory of Muriel may be made the Dr. Cooke Patient Comfort Fund or to a charity of the donor's choice. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd. of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements. Muriel Irene Gullickson (Grant) Muriel Gullickson passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 7, 2004 at the Dr. Cooke Nursing Home in Lloydminster, AB at the age of 85. She is survived by her only daughter Helen (whom we all call Babe) and her husband Herman Benson of Tulliby Lake, AB; her three grandsons Brad (Brenda) of Orillia, Ontario, Gib (Diana) of Lloydminster, AB; Stacy (Lesley) of Kelowna, BC; and her granddaughter Heather Rogers of Leduc, AB; three great grandchildren Scott, Stephanie and Katelyn and seven step great grandchildren as well as one step great great grandchild. She is also survived by her only sister Helen Kelliher of Harlan, SK; two sisters-in-law Audrey Grant and Florence Grant as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Muriel was predeceased by her husband Gilbert; her parents John and Rachel Grant; her two brothers Donald and Forrest and her great grandson Shawn Rogers. Muriel was born February 2, 1919 in Gradahl, SK. She was the 3rd child of John and Rachel Grant. Muriel was 15 years old when her family moved to the Harlan District. It was at an early age that Muriel discovered her talent for sewing. She made many outfits for herself and her sister Helen from hand-me-downs passed along from Aunt Mona. Muriel met and later married Gilbert Gullickson on May 6, 1940. Their first home was in the St. Margaret’s district and it was while they were living here that their daughter Babe was born. About a year later they moved to Harlan where Gilbert farmed and logged. Muriel and Gilbert moved to Meadow Lake, SK in 1957. It was here that Gilbert started his successful carpentry business along with his son-in-law Herman. Muriel was also busy as she was working as a seamstress. Muriel and Gilbert enjoyed many winter holidays in Needles, California. Muriel loved to play Keno and looked forward to their journeys south each winter. Gilbert’s health began to fail in the spring of 1989 and he passed away November 30, 1989. This was very devastating for Muriel and at this time she moved to Lloydminster to be nearer to her family. After several years in Lloydminster, Muriel found companionship with a dear friend Lewis Beynon, whom she had known since the age of 17. About a year ago Muriel’s health began to falter and as a result she moved into the Dr. Cooke Nursing Home where she resided until her passing. Now that I have given you the basic details; I would like to tell you about the Muriel I knew. To me Muriel was Aunt - not Aunt Muriel or Auntie Muriel, just simply Aunt. She was always the aunt we spent the most time with and were closest to. She was very special. When my brothers and sister and I were little Aunt used to sew for us all the time. This was a great help to my Mother as money was scarce and Aunt could always make great looking clothes for us from the old castaways. Once after she had made my sister Margie a new outfit - Margie asked her to make her a new pair of shoes to match. I guess we thought Aunt could make anything! My most vivid memories of Aunt and Pop (my siblings and I all called Gilbert ‘Pop’) I guess this all started because my brother Skip and Babe used to play together all the time when they were little and Babe called her dad ‘Pop’ so Skip did too. Anyway my best memories of summers gone by are of going and staying at Aunt and Pop’s the first week of July to attend the Meadow Lake Stampede. It was “the” social event of the year. Thinking back I’m sure it must have been a “momentous” occasion for Aunt as well only perhaps of a different nature! My whole family would invade her house for four long fun filled days. Aunt and Pop’s quiet home turned into a hotel, soup kitchen and laundromat for a very noisy, action packed family. However, if Aunt did mind us all being there she never let on. She treated us royally and made us all feel very welcome. Aunt’s potato salad was often on the menu and it was delicious. We all still talk of Aunt’s potato salad. Aunt and Pop always came to our house for all family occasions. They were a very important part of our family. Aunt was very good with plants and her begonias in front of their house in Meadow Lake were gorgeous. In later years when they travelled south for their winter holiday, Aunt always came home with a gift for everyone in the Kelliher family - she must have spent half her holiday shopping for our gifts. After Pop passed away Aunt seemed to have lost part of herself. She and Pop were very close and I don’t think she ever adjusted to life without him. Mom and Aunt were always close but after Dad and Pop were gone - they became even closer and spent a great deal of time together. Aunt loved Babe and Herman, her grandchildren and great grandchildren very much and yet she still had enough love to make her nieces and nephews feel special. I know she always made me feel loved and special and in return I love her dearly. Card of Thanks The family of Muriel Gullickson would like to thank all those who took part in her funeral. Especially to the pallbearers and Marg Purves and Deb Hines. Special thanks to all those who came to visit and brought flowers and gifts during her illness. Thank you to Dr. Chan and the staff of the Dr. Cooke Extended Care Center for all the special care received. Thank you to Reverend Norm Laird for the special service and Glenn McCaw and the staff of McCaw Funeral Home. Also to Mayme the caterer for a beautiful lunch. Helen (Herman) Benson Brad (Brenda) & Family Heather Rogers & Family Gib (Diana) & Family Stacy (Lesley) & Family Helen Kelliher & Family