Merron Grace Gullickson age 88 of Walnut Grove passed away Friday, December 27, 2013 at the Westbrook Good Samaritan Center.  Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 30 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in rural Walnut Grove.  Visitation is 5:00-7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Walnut Grove Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.  Burial is in the church cemetery.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service – Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Merron Grace (Tompkins) Gullickson was born June 5, 1925 in Spencer, South Dakota to Ray and Laura (Short) Tompkins.  The family moved to Morton, Minnesota in 1933 and later to Tracy, where Merron graduated from high school in 1943.  She received a degree in accounting from the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis.  Merron worked at the JC Penney store in Tracy where she met Kenneth Gullickson.  They were married on May 23, 1954 at the Presbyterian Church in Tracy.  The couple farmed together in Holly Township until Kenneth’s retirement in 1980.  They continued to live on the farm until 1990 when they moved into Walnut Grove.  Merron was Kenneth’s caregiver for many years as his health declined.  She was an Avon representative for a number of years.  Merron was a member of the Birthday Club and Ladies Aid, and held numerous other church positions at St. Olaf.  She enjoyed counted cross stitch and made tie quilts for each of her grandchildren.  Merron loved baking, playing cards, and spoiling her grandkids.

Merron is survived by her children: Karen Myers (Doug Midthun) of Lake Crystal, Joanne (Rich) Bruns of Hinckley, Jean (Donald) Strong of Littleton, CO, and Janet (Leo) Theisen of Walnut Grove; grandchildren: Jessica Deno, Chris and Josh Myers, Mike and Mark Bruns, Katie Linden, Nicole Strong, Jeremy and Alison Knakmuhs, Jennifer Wisner, Brian Strong, Brian and Aaron Theisen; great grandchildren: Kyle Quiram, Adam Deno, Ren and Selah Myers, Charlotte Bruns, Claire and Alice Linden, James and Jaylynn Wisner, and Paisley Strong; and many nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and siblings Edna Hensley, Glen Tompkins, Mary AuDella Zeug, and Hazel Tompkins.