Larry Grant Gullickson, 72, of Austin Minnesota, passed away Tuesday, April 4, 2017, at Adams Health Care Center in Adams Minnesota, surrounded by his loving family. He succumbed to complications from pneumonia after years of bravely battling Progressive Supra Nuclear Palsy.

Larry was born in Austin on Sept. 19, 1944, to Grant and Lorraine (Anderson) Gullickson. He grew up and lived in Oakland and Moscow. He attended Austin Public Schools, graduating in 1963. On July 29, 1964, he married the love of his life, Gayle Blum at the Assemblies of God Church. He enlisted in the Marine Corps and served his country in Vietnam. Upon his discharge, he returned to Minnesota to raise his family.

He worked at Hormel Foods for 17 years and drove bus for Austin Transportation for 30 years. He drove motor coach trips all over the country. He drove the Austin All Star Little League team to Canada for 20 years, for their annual tournament. An avid sports fan, he loved watching the Vikings, Twins, his grandsons play baseball and his granddaughter play hockey. He was an accomplished bowler with many awards including a 300 game and 800 series.

To know Larry was to love him. He had a quick smile, an infectious laugh and a terrific sense of humor. If he liked you, you knew it, because he gave you a nickname. He was loyal to a fault and had many friends who adored him. He loved to cook and made a mean salsa. We will miss his barbecue conducting skills. If you wanted to know a story, please ask. He was a terrific storyteller and a huge history buff.

Special thanks to the staff at Adams Health Care Center for the outstanding care, compassion and love you showed Larry and us during the last year. You made our lives a bit brighter.

He is survived by his wife, Gayle, Austin; daughters, Holly (Charlie) Johnson, Mound, Minnesota, Heidi (Alan) Fredrickson, Adams, and Jenelle Gullickson (Jeffrey Norstrem) Wayzata, Minnesota; five grandchildren, Nathen Wagner, Jeremy Wagner, Cassandra Hall, Katya Fredrickson and MiKayla Fredrickson; three great-grandchildren; brothers, Glenn (Cheryl) Gullickson, Austin,  and Daryl Gullickson, Austin; sister, Joyce Gullickson, LeRoy; and many nieces, nephew, aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Grant and Lorraine; and brother, Vernell.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 9, 2017,  at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 1600 Oakland Ave, Austin, with the Rev. Karen Behling officiating. American Legion Post 91 and VFW Post 1216 are in charge of military rites. Visitation is with family one hour prior to service. Fellowship will be with the family following the service.

Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.