Lucille E. Gullickson, 92, of rural Center, ND passed away peacefully May 31, 2016 at her residence surrounded by loving family. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Monday, June 6th at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Center with Pastor Dennis Ristvedt officiating. Burial will be in the Sanger Cemetery, rural Oliver County. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Sunday and one hour prior to the service on Monday all at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Center.

Lucille E. Slater was born December 25, 1923 to Earl and Myrtle (Wetzel) Slater, near Hensler, ND where she attended school. Following graduation, she married Elmer Gullickson of Sanger on April 19, 1942 in Mandan. They made their home northeast of Center, farming and raising cattle. While raising a family of five children, Lucille also kept busy gardening, especially flowers, which she loved, and various outdoor activities, such as boating and water skiing, as well as snow skiing. She also enjoyed dancing and bowling and going for long walks with her dog, children and grandchildren, as they came along. Attending outdoor performances, such as the Medora Musical and Sleepy Hollow in Bismarck were also favorite pastimes.

Lucille was also an avid reader and upon her youngest child's graduation, decided to expand her horizons. She applied for a job with the local newspaper and ended up with a career that spanned over 25 years. She became proficient at covering the local government, school and growth of the power plant industry in the local area. Lucille received numerous North Dakota Newspaper Association writing awards and many awards for her accompanying photos. She became the editor of the local newspaper, as well as furthering her education by receiving a degree in English from the University of Mary in 1988.

She was active in the community and was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church. She was also a 4-H leader and a member of the Oliver County Homemakers Club. She was a member of a group that was instrumental in getting the indoor swimming pool built. Lucille also seemed to have an innate fashion sense. She was always in style no matter what the occasion. Most important to Lucille was her family, whom she enjoyed hosting for every holiday.

Her family will miss the long walks and her sunny smile. As proud as she was of her family, they are as equally proud of her.

She is survived by her three daughters, Sandra (Arnie) Fisher of Hensler, Tracy (Gerald) Freidig of Center, & Kimberly (Steve Shadwick) Gullickson of Douglas, WY; one son, Leland (Kathy) Gullickson of Center; daughter-in-law, Jackie Gullickson of Center; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Deirdre (Chris) Forstner and her children Kael (Amber) & Jordan Melby, Dean Fisher and children Justin, Brandon, Travis, & Zach, Cory (Jenny) Gullickson and children Brienna & Regan, Ryan (Danielle Butler) Gullickson and daughter Haven, Shaina (Scott) Adelman and children Alivia and Brynley, Jenna Gullickson, Tony Freidig and daughters Grace & Madelyn, Donald (Katie) Freidig and son Emmett, Moriah (Lee) Moore and daughter Ruth, Nicole Gullickson, Amber (Chris) Hilt, and Kendra Gullickson; one great-great grandchild, Logan Melby; and several nieces & nephews.

Lucille was preceded in death by her parents, husband (Elmer), son (Clayton), infant son, and one brother (Earl Slater, Jr.)