Warren Gullickson
September 29, 1936 ~ December 9, 2022
Born in:
Fargo, North Dakota
Resided in:
Fargo, North Dakota
Warren’s Live Streamed Memorial Service can be viewed below:
Warren Gullickson, 86, of Fargo, North Dakota, beloved husband and father, passed peacefully on December 9, 2022. Warren was preceded in death by his father, Walter; mother, Bertie; brother, Gary; and sisters-in-law Susan Torson and Dorothy Gullickson. He was most proud of his family and amazing schools for whom he taught, coached, and served.
Warren married Sheila Person in 1960, and they enjoyed a wonderful 62 years of marriage. His three children, Greg (Nikkie) of Fargo; Sara of Edina, MN; and Brad (Kristi) of Champlin, as well as his eight grandchildren (Matt, Taylor, Lauren Gullickson; Jack, Molly McGrane; Emily, Will, Abby Gullickson) were his pride and joy. He did not miss a basketball game, tennis match or Trollwood play. He loved his regular tennis group for 20+ years and loved playing golf (but was not fond of following slow golfers).
He graduated from Fargo Central, playing Varsity basketball, baseball and football as well as Junior Legion Baseball. He then attended NDSU where he also played baseball. He transferred to Moorhead State, graduating in 1959 with a degree in Math Education.
Warren was a proud and enthusiastic employee of the Fargo Public Schools for 40 years. He began teaching and coaching at Agassiz in 1959. He received his MS in 1964 and was assistant principal at Agassiz from 1967-1972. Summers were spent raising his children, working for the park district, and coaching junior legion baseball. In 1972, he became principal of Ben Franklin Junior High, and he was thrilled when the school won the prestigious Excellence in Education Award by the U.S. Office of Education in the 1982-83 school year. He was most proud of the amazing teachers, staff, and students, and the incredible drama program, which was the foundation for the Trollwood Performing Arts Center, for whom he was an ardent lifelong supporter. He was President of the N.D. Secondary Principals, President of the N.D. Council of School Administrators, and selected by the National Association of Secondary Principals as being “representative of the most effective Middle-Level Principals in the country” in 1982. In 1994, he became the first principal of Discovery Junior High School, and retired in 1999. He served as Chair of the Education Division of the United Way many times.
Warren will be remembered as always having a positive attitude and outlook; being kind and generous; having a gentle soul; and being proud of his family, schools, and hometown—Fargo.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Boulger Funeral Home on Monday, December 12, at 11am. Memorials are not neessary, but if desired, please donate to the Trollwood Performing Arts Center or Fargo Public Schools Foundation.
Warren’s Video Tribute can be viewed below:
Services
Celebration of Life - Monday: December 12, 2022 11:00 am
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
7012376441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
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Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Warren Gullickson 's name.
Fargo Public Schools Foundation
700 7th St S
Fargo, North Dakota
(701) 446-1041
https://fargoschoolsfoundation.org/
Trollwood Performing Arts
801 50th Ave S
Moorhead, Minnesota
(218) 477-6500
https://trollwood.org/
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warren was always so nice to people. he sure was to me at ben franklin. i remember him helping me get on the golf team at north early. that meant a lot to me. just a genuine nice person. we were all better off knowing him!
I am very sorry to hear about Warren passing. My thoughts and prayers for your family in this time of grieving. He was a friend and classmate of my father Fay Fisher. Warren was my principal at Ben Franklin from 1981-1983. When I would run into Warren around Fargo he was always so pleasant to talk to and had a great smile! We had a wonderful visit the last time I saw him at my dads funeral.
To Warren’s family…. Warren was a good friend to the Park District… always professional, kind, a true gentleman at all times and knowledgeable about so many subjects… it is an honor for me to call Warren a friend… God bless your memory Warren .. your journey on earth is complete…! Roger G Gress
One in the good guys. Michelle Flaagan Richardson
My favorite principal!!!! Much love to the Gullickson family, Carolyn McGraw Renfandt
It is with deepest sympathy that I write this and learned of the passing of a dear friend, mentor, former administrator of Fargo public schools. Warren could wear all the hats of a quality administrator in dealing with parents, children and teachers! I have never experienced such a wonderful caring administrator/friend as Warren Gullickson. I would look forward to coming to Touchmark to perform there and always talk with Warren about the teaching profession and how much it’s changed due to Covid and both parents working. So much now is put on the teacher , their responsibility of teaching, what should be done in the home with values, honesty, integrity, and consequences! All of that used to be done in the home and now it’s put on to the teachers and Warren and I would discuss this at great length, and he was very sad to see the direction Education has taken! God must have needed a good man to administer the values mentioned above. Rest in peace, and no that you were a good and faithful servant to anyone who came into your path! Sympathy and condolences. Just doesn’t seem enough for Warren. But family Know that Warren was a superior human being. In every respect of the word! All the best to all of you, John Pederson band Director.
Warren was a leader I looked up to since Agassiz Jr. High days. He was a dedicated educator and well respected! RIP.
The world is a lot better off having Warren Gullickson. He leaves a legacy having touched many lives. I will miss him.
Warren Gullickson was the Principal at Ben Franklin Junior High School when I taught art there. He was a kind and understanding leader. During my 23 years at Ben, the art department tested Warren’s patience multiple times, but he was ever supportive and professional. I will always remember him as a leader we could look up to in any situation. Many parents, teachers and students benefited by their association with Warren. He will be missed.
To the Gullickson Family, Mr. Gullickson was a very positive memory of my childhood. I knew him as the man off to the side watching and throughly enjoying his children. Somehow he always seemed to be in a good mood. 4 months of winter and still in a good mood? His kids grinding out a tennis match, still happy go lucky in appearance. I was over to your home at least a 100 times and never once was he in a bad mood. He help raise two attorneys yet I never saw them argue. Granted, Brad was easy as he was just a happy kid. Mr. Gullickson was thoughtful and welcoming, you could not ask for a better father of your childhood friend. I am sorry for your loss but what a wonderful father you got enjoy and be mentored by for all those years.
Mr. Gullickson was the principal at Discovery when I was hired. He was so kind, supportive and positive. I was never afraid to reach out to him for help. He made me feel valued and important. He was a great human and I have nothing but wonderful memories of him. Rest in peace WG and thanks for believing in me. Gregg
-Vic Youngs
I first met Warren in July 1976. I was interviewed for the principalship of Agassiz Junior High and Warren was on the committee. After the interview Warren and I visited and his parting remark to me was”I look forward to working with you.” I became the pricipal at Agassiz and I did look forward to working with Warren for the next25 years and beyond that, as we continued to enjoy our relationship. Warren was not only a colleague and mentor, but more importantly, a great friend. To the Gullickson family know that the Warner family’s thoughts and prayers are with you and for Warren. Rest in peace my friend!
Dear Sheila, Greg, Sara, Brad and Families,
It was with great sadness that we learned of Warren’s passing. We first met when I was a new teacher at Agassiz and Warren was a seasoned veteran of three years. He was a welcoming and friendly person from the very beginning. As time passed we became more than colleagues; we became friends. He was a person respected and liked by all, I believe. I don’t think in all of the years we were associated I ever heard a negative word spoken about him. In the spring of that first year he asked me to be his assistant track coach. I said that I didn’t know anything about track coaching. His response: “I’ll tell ya everything ya need to know!
Before we left Fargo to chase a career, our first-born Timothy and Bradley came into the world the same week if not the same day, and we celebrated their baptisms together. I remember the day with clarity. After we were situated in Illinois, the Gullicksons visited us in DeKalb for a brief visit. As the family headed to the car to depart I recall Sara, doing cartwheels all the way to the vehicle.
Warren was a person who was recognized for his caring and compassionate way. As a leader he was not afraid to speak truth to power, and people respected him for that. It was my great hope that with our move to Touchmark a week ago that we would once again be colleagues in some sort of mischief or other, but it was not to be. He will be greatly missed, not only by family but also the hundreds of friends and colleagues with whom he made common cause over the years.
May peace descend upon you, and God bless….
Mike and Sue Morrissey
Warren was always an educator and a true gentleman. He showed me what a supportive principal could do for a school community and led by example in all he required.
I was honored when he hired me to open Discovery Junior High. I began my FPS career with his positive and valuable leadership. I still use many of his gems today. Thank you for believing in me all those years ago.
Always a treat to see him after his retirement, with that big grin, a hug, and great conversation. God speed, Warren!!
Beanie, Discovery Band Director
Gullickson Family: I have known Warren for around 50 years. He was my principal at Ben Franklin growing up and then I worked for him at Discovery as a teacher. I didn’t have to see Warren for any behavior issues while in middle school, but I did sense his big, caring, and compassionate personality as a teenager. You knew he cared about the students attending school and had high expectations of us. Nothing changed over the 50 years when I worked with him. You knew he supported the teachers he worked with and always had time for anyone needing his attention. The famous “see me WG” notes he would leave in your mailbox were always a reminder that he would help you through anything that needed attention. I am so sorry for your loss and pray that God holds your family close when you miss this amazing man. Heaven gained quite an angel this week.
Warren came into our lives in 1975, when he hired Mort and me to team teach the new 9th grade health course that was just developed. He had a tremendous impact on both of us over the years. He was always supportive of our program and of us as teachers.
While I stayed in the classroom, Mort went into counseling, and then became Warren’s Assistant Principal for many years. When Discovery was opened, he took both of us with him, Mort as ass’t principal and me as a counselor. He definitely was a mentor for Mort, who stepped into his shoes when Warren retired.
Warren never made a rash decision. He always thought things through, asked for opinions and listened to them before acting. His energy was infectious, his organization impeccable and his people skills honed. He was such a supporter of all the activities after school or in the evenings, whether it be the drama program, sporting events, music and arts…you would see him standing at the door welcoming parents.
From the time he hired us until he retired, we were by his side. He was a mentor, a colleague and above all a friend. Because we winter in Florida, we were unable to attend the Celebration of WG’s life. We are so glad we could share in the celebration through video. Thank you to the family for that.
Rest In Peace, dear friend, you have earned your wings.
Marv and Babe Mortenson
I was saddened to hear of Warren’s passing I was an administrative colleague of his in the Fargo Public Schools in the late 60’s and early 70’s and so appreciated his thoughtful, intelligent, enthusiastic approach to performing his job. I remember him as a warm, genuine person, a quality guy.
I’m sorry I missed an opportunity to see Warren in recent years. God rest his soul. Blessings to his family. Roger Worner
Warren, or “Mr. Gullickson” as I first knew him, was my junior high algebra teacher and basketball coach at Agassiz. Even after so many years, I think of him as one of the best teachers and coaches I ever had. He was engaged with each of us on an individual basis and coached our team one year to an undefeated season. A taskmaster who made us do things right – but also always with a twinkle in his eye and a concern for us that seemed deep and sincere. Of course he went on to do so much more, but I’ll always remember him with the belief (as I’m sure so many have) that I had a special individual relationship with him.
I was very impressed with warrens children at his beautiful funeral
The way they spoke about him
I realized he continued to be the wonderful guy he was in high school
Marilyn siegel marker
Mrs. Gullickson, Sara, Greg and Brad, please accept my heartfelt condolences. Your family has been a part of my life since my earliest memories. I want to thank you all for enriching me and my family with your friendship. Love, Troy Kester
To all the Gullickson Family, know we hold you in our prayers and extend our sincere sympathy as you grieve the loss of Warren.
When Discovery opened, I was thrilled to be hired by Warren to teach English. He was incredibly supportive of staff and students, highly energetic, competent, professional, and showed up in countless ways.
Dick and I were blessed to know Warren and Sheila as neighbors years later and Greg, Nikki, and their children, also. What fun it was to chat with Warren when we saw him on his daily walks. We also enjoyed visits with Sheila and Warren over various topics and saw such love and dedication between them interspersed with laughter. Such pride they had in their children and grandchildren, and they were quick to ask about ours.
Warren was admired and respected by many, loved his family, and was a mentor and friend to us. He will be missed immensely!
Diane and Dick Stenberg
Warren was like a father to me. He was the most kind and gentle man. He welcomed me into his home no questions asked when I was a little girl. His family was his most prized accomplishment. Sara my thoughts and prayers are with you, your mom and the reat od your family. ❤️