Gene Alan Gullickson, 66, of West Concord, passed away on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at home with his wife, Brenda, by his side.
Gene was born to Eugene and Barbara Gullickson (Schaefer) on November 15, 1959 in Rochester. Gene had met Brenda Peterson on August 27, 1993, at a party that his cousin told him to go to. Brenda saw him on his motorcycle and demanded a ride. Since that day, they were inseparable. He asked her to marry him and they picked out rings and were married a year after they met on August 27, 1994. Although their marriage wasn't perfect, they loved each other fiercely.
They welcomed their first child in 1997, their baby girl, Cheyenne. She was her Daddy's joy. He had always wanted a little girl since forever, he told Brenda. Two years later they welcomed their second in 1999, baby boy Brock. When he found out he was having a boy, he said his little family was complete and perfect.
Gene and family always went on some kind of vacation in the summer. Either camping on the North Shore, Galveston, TX, Sioux Falls to The Falls, or just in their backyard. Gene's family always came first. Since the kids were able to play at parks, they always stopped at any park they found to let them play and make new "friends". Gene also was a big kid at heart and chased them around and played. Gene is/was the best Dad ever!
Gene always made time to go to extended family gatherings. When he was invited to a family gathering he made sure to go. His aunts, uncles and cousins held a very special place in his heart. He always told Brenda his Aunts were the best cooks, and they were always surprised at how much "Gene Alan" could eat.
He loved everyone with all his heart. He was the most genuine man you would ever meet.
When he met Brenda, who has several nieces and nephews, he adopted them and loved to be around them. He just had this special aura that attracted kids, and as they grew up, they always loved having Uncle Gene around.
Gene was just the perfect person.
One of his proudest moments was walking his daughter Cheyenne down the aisle to marry the love of her life, Carlos, this past summer.
His advice when asked how to have a happy marriage was "never dwell on the little stuff and don't live in the past and look to the future".
Gene is survived by his forever loving wife, Brenda of 32 years; daughter, Cheyenne (Carlos Zavala); son, Brock Gullickson (Brittney O'Brien); five beautiful grandchildren, he was so proud to be called Grandpa and Papa: grandsons, Ryker and Thomas; granddaughters, Sofia, Dolores and Hayzel; and cannot forget his precious dog, Bubbles; mother, Barbara “Barb” Gullickson; brother, Danniel (Mavis) Gullickson; aunts, Bonita Hokanson, LaVonne Schaefer, Janet Schaefer, Roxanne Milbeck, Alice Gullickson, and Janie Gullickson; uncles, Norman Schaefer, Galen Schaefer, and David Gullickson; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his dad, Eugene Gullickson; mother-in- law, Berndadine Peterson; grandparents, Wilbur and Inez Gullickson and, Harold and Erma Schaefer; aunts, Shirley Braaten, Geraldine Wallaker, and Marie Schaefer; uncles, Dale Schaefer, Lowell Schaefer, Bob Braaten, Robert Wallaker, Harlan Hokanson, Jim Gullickson, and Neil Gullickson; and cousins, Debi, Gerald, Sharon, Jimmy, and John.
Brenda, Cheyenne and Brock would like to extend a very heartfelt thank you to Mike Braaten, Rachel Helberg, and Charlie Schutz. Thank you for giving him rides, and just being there for him when he needed you. We are so grateful for you.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 1 PM – 4 PM at Michaelson Funeral Home in West Concord with a short prayer service and sharing of memories starting at 1:30 PM.
