Merle (Gullikson) Gardow, 82, of Eau Claire, died peacefully at her home on Monday, January 28, 2013. She was born on April 11, 1930, a daughter of Fred and Elsie (Staples) Gullikson, and a graduate of Eau Claire Senior High School, Class of 1948. Merle married Harold E. "Harry" Gardow in 1951. Merle was the top typist, stenographer in her class and immediately was offered the secretary position at the Rubber Workers Union Office, Local 19. She worked with Assemblyman Joseph Looby and Senator Bill Proxmire. She was offered a position in Washington DC, because of her immense skills, but kindly declined in order to stay in Eau Claire, to raise her daughters, Lynn, Brenda and Nancy. During "the Seventies", Merle returned to work at the Eau Claire Royal Credit Union. In "the Eighties", she became Clerk of Court for Judge Barland and continued to work for the Eau Claire County Court system until her retirement in 1995. Merle was an avid bowler in the WWBA. She was a champion roller skater and shared her love of ice skating with her children at the Cameron St. playground ice rink. She was a life-long member of the PTA Council and served faithfully as President of the Mother's Club at Sherman Creek Elementary School. She remained active at Epiphany Lutheran Church and as a volunteer at Bethesda Thrift Shop. At the family cabin on Lake Holcombe, the family thoroughly enjoyed pontoon rides with their Chardonnay, learning to swim and build bonfires. There was no one like Merle. She was a liberal democrat before the term was coined. She was always on the right side of things. The girls learned about politics and how to form their own opinion from their education (Merle was always outspoken with hers and this trait continues on through her daughters). Merle is survived by her husband, Harold; three daughters, Lynn Gardow Miller of New York City, Brenda (Tom) Sandberg of Pleasant Prairie, WI, and Nancy (Steve) Geissler of DePere, WI; six grandchildren, Taylor, Tara, Chloe, Rachel and Henry Geissler, and Harrison Miller; sister, Betty Duval of Chippewa Falls; brother, Gary (Jan) Gullikson of Machesney, IL; and Brenda and Tom's dog, Louie. She is preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Carl, Andy and Gus Gullikson; and three sisters, May Day, Ethel Weasler, and Redi Gullikson. The family would like to thank Shirley Krogman, Cindy Fahrmann, Betty Grosvold, Jim and Ardyce Hagen, Mary Lippert and Mayo Clinic Hospice for their kind and caring concern for Merle. Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 2, 2013, at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home WEST CHAPEL, 1405 N. Clairemont Ave. in Eau Claire with Pastor Russell Kampfer officiating. A Celebration of Merle's life will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Inurnment will be at a later date in Lakeview Cemetery in Eau Claire.

Service Information

Cemetery

Lakeview Cemetery 1500 Buffington Drive Eau Claire WI 54703

Memorial Service

Saturday, February 2 2013 3:00 PM

Lenmark Gomsrud Linn Funeral & Cremation Services West Chapel 1405 North Clairemont Avenue Eau Claire WI 54703

Celebration of Life

Saturday, February 2 2013 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Lenmark Gomsrud Linn Funeral & Cremation Services West Chapel 1405 North Clairemont Avenue Eau Claire WI 54703