ARLENE GULLIKSON

Arlene Gullikson, 90, of Lake Andes, died Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at her home in Lake Andes. A one night wake service was held Friday, April 26 at the American Legion Hall in Wagner. One night wake was held Sunday, April 28 at the Ralph Wells Community Center in White Shield, ND with funeral services Monday, April 29 at the Ralph Wells Community Center in White Shield, ND. Burial was in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in White Shield, ND.

Peters Funeral Home in Wagner, and Thompson Funeral Home in Garrison, ND were in charge of arrangements.

Arlene (White Arm) Gullikson “Red Cedar Woman” was born August 20, 1933 at her grandma Nora’s home in Elbowoods, ND. Arlene is the daughter of Thomas White Arm and Ruth Painte. Thomas White Arm “White Shoulder Horse” is from the Hidatsa Tribe and her mother Ruth Painte “Iron Medal Woman” is from the Arikara and Mandan people. Her maternal grandparents are Nora Yellow Bird-Painte “White Squash Blossom Woman” and Robert Painte “First Born/Last Born Bear.” Paternal grandparents are Thomas White Arm Sr. and Carrie Two Crow “First Flower on the Hillside”. Arlene was raised by both her grandmas Nora and Carrie and shared many good memories of her childhood over the years.

Arlene came to St. Paul’s Indian Mission in Marty, as a high school freshman and graduated Marty in 1953. She met and married Ben Gullikson Sr. of the Yankton Sioux Tribe that same year. They were married for 42 years until Ben passed away in 1995. They had twelve children together - six sons: Sonny, Tommy, Mike, Joe, Phillip, and Harlan and six daughters: Debbie, Vonnie, Myrna, Barb, Karla, and Karen. We shared our mother with many others who also became her sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren over the years.

Arlene has gone on to be reunited with all those she loves that left her and leaves behind a beautiful legacy. She always has been and always will be there for all of us. Go Rest High on the Mountain, your work on earth is done!