Sharon Kay Gullickson

Sharon Kay Ainsworth Gullickson, 84, of Surprise, Arizona, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2025. She was born on June 14, 1941, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and lived a life defined by resilience, devotion, creativity, and love.

Sharon was the beloved daughter of Neil Crashedeck Ainsworth (1890–1946) and Catherine Rubye Montgomery Ainsworth (1900–1952). Her father passed away when she was just four years old, and her mother when she was ten. As an orphan, Sharon learned responsibility and determination early. At the age of eleven, she began working: babysitting, washing and ironing clothes several times each week, and slicing buns in a bakery from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. on weekends. These formative years instilled in her a work ethic and independence that guided her entire life.

After her parents’ deaths, Sharon and her brother Edward William Ainsworth were cared for by her older sister, Betty Ann Ainsworth Kvamme, and Betty’s husband, Vernon Kenneth Kvamme. Sharon graduated from Grand Forks Central High School before earning a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a Minor in Library Science from the University of North Dakota. She was proud that she paid her own way. While working at Benner’s Better Sportswear Shop in Grand Forks, she met Lila Benner, a strong mentor who became like a second mother to her.

Sharon’s life took a beautiful turn on a city bus ride, where she met Glenn Lee Gullickson, who offered her a stick of gum. That small act began a lifelong love story that grew into 55 years of marriage, two children, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, and a shared life of joy and adventure. Glenn preceded her in death in 2018.

After college, Sharon began her career teaching 2nd and 3rd grade at Crestwood Elementary School in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. In 1965, she and Glenn moved to Freeport, Illinois, where she taught 3rd grade before becoming a substitute teacher when her daughter Kristin was born. After her son Timothy arrived, she devoted herself to being a stay-at-home mother. Later, as her children grew, Sharon worked at JCPenney in the fine jewelry department, where she also trained new associates.

Through Glenn’s job transfers with JCPenney, the family lived in Waukegan, IL; Rockford, IL; Wauwatosa, WI; Elgin, IL; Detroit Lakes, MN; and Grants Pass, OR. Sharon and Glenn eventually retired to a dream home and community in Sun City Grand, Surprise, Arizona, where she enjoyed 27 years surrounded by hundreds of friends and family, including her sister-in-law Loydine Sara Gullickson Myhre, brother-in-law Marvin Maynard Myhre, and niece Katherine Lee Kvamme Fetting.

Sharon’s hobbies were many and reflected her creativity and love of beauty: cross-stitch, quilting, painting, card making, floral arrangements, and all things crafty. She was an avid reader and loved to keep a book open while watching sports on TV. She was a proud collector of Hummel figurines, Department 56 Christmas Village pieces, and Santas. She delighted in hosting dinner parties she called “fine dining,” serving meals with elaborate dishes, silverware, cloth napkins, and what she called “good ice,” regardless of whether the menu was fancy or simple.

Her charitable heart was as strong as her creative one. Sharon raised money, purchased, and distributed thousands of backpacks filled with school supplies for children in Phoenix, and she lovingly made blankets for babies who passed away shortly after birth. Helping underprivileged children was a cause very dear to her. In recognition of her service, Sharon was honored in 2010 by the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of the Diocese of Arizona as their Distinguished Woman, an award given to those who generously give their time and talent for the benefit of their parish and diocese.

Sharon had a fun and competitive side. She was a tournament-caliber backgammon player, a great storyteller, and someone who could make friends feel like family with her warmth and humor. When Kris, Tim, and Timmer were teenagers, she dedicated her free time to running the concession stand at the baseball field, driving to gymnastics, the mall, or to whatever caper the kids came up with.

Above all, Sharon’s life was anchored by her deep love for her family. She is survived by her children, Kristin Lee Nelson Gullickson and Timothy Glenn Gullickson. Timothy Lovell Robinson was another son to Sharon and a brother to Kris and Tim. She is survived by seven grandchildren: Ashley Aaron Nelson Gutmann, Jackson Alexander Nelson, Elizabeth Kennedy Nelson Setzer, Tatiana Elise Nelson, Eleanor Margaret Gullickson, Joseph “Kit” Emery Gullickson, and Charles Glenn Gullickson. Her three great-grandchildren are Ezekiel “Zeke” Robert Paul Gutmann, Bodhi Tiberius Gutmann, and Aurelia Juliette “AJ” Gutmann. Sharon’s family was her greatest joy and lasting legacy. It would be remiss to leave out her much-loved beagles, Tuffy and Scooter.

She will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Glenn, reunited in eternal peace. Sharon will be remembered as a woman of strength, compassion, creativity, and grace - a life fully lived, and a love deeply given.

The funeral will be held on October 18 at 3 p.m. MST at Advent Episcopal Church in Sun City West, Arizona.

Memorial contributions may be made in Sharon’s honor to Phoenix Children’s Project, a local nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of children living in poverty in Phoenix and surrounding areas. Their mission is to help children become healthy, self-reliant adults by first meeting their immediate needs — providing food, clothing, and school supplies — and then teaching them how to break the cycle of poverty to create brighter futures. www.phoenixchildren.org