Lee Gunlikson, age 72, passed away on January 15, 2025 at Sanford Hospital, Bemidji, MN.

Lee was the third son born to Julian and Lorraine (Emery) Gunlikson on April 2, 1952. He grew up in Zahl, ND and graduated from Grenora High School with the class of 1970.

In high school he was an outstanding athlete in football, basketball and baseball. After high school he attended NDSU where he graduated with a degree in Agriculture Education. While at NDSU he played football and also some basketball and baseball. Lee has been a huge supporter of Bison Nation ever since. He was football season ticket holder, a member of NDSU Team Makers and attended many National Championship games in Frisco, TX. ONCE A BISON . . . ALWAYS A BISON.

Lee went on to teach and coach football at Tioga High School until he moved back to Zahl to start farming and coaching football in Grenora.

Lee married Shirley Miller and they were blessed with their beautiful daughter. Samantha Jo has been his pride and joy ever since. In 2017 Sam married Brandon Pond and Lee gained the son he never had. Sam and Brandon made Lee a “Papa” in 2020 with the birth of Reagan Lee. He was so proud and always had a picture to show or story to tell about them.

In 1983 Lee and his brother-in-law Rick Tangedal opened All Seasons Sport About, Inc in Williston. Lee was on the road for many years selling uniforms, shoes, caps, jackets and Ad Specialty Items to Schools, Oilfield and all businesses. He loved visiting with all of the customers and had time for everyone. They successfully operated Sport About for 36 years and were awarded “Icon of the Year” by the Williston Economic Development Association in 2019.


Lee was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, NDSU Team Makers, Jaycees, Williston Downtowners, the Moose Lodge, Williston Sports Committee, Korner Lions and other organizations. He was a Korner Lion for 41 years where he held many positions and chaired many events. He also served on the North Dakota Lions Foundation Board for 6 years. He was recognized with a Melvin Jones Fellowship presented by the Korner Lions Club for his humanitarian and community service. He was always promoting Lions in the community and gained many valuable friendships through this organization over the years.

People knew Lee everywhere he went. He made many lifelong friendships throughout the years and always took time for a visit, a hug, and a smile. He was everyone’s cheerleader and with his big booming voice you knew he was in the room. He truly cared about everyone!

Lee is survived by his daughter, Samantha Pond, her husband Brandon and his granddaughter Reagan Lee Pond. His brothers, Roger (Pam), Don (Carol Ann) Gunlikson and sisters, Laurie Bartz, Janet (Rick) Tangedal and Sandy (Rod) Opperud and their families. His nephews and nieces, aunts and uncles and cousins were so important to him. There were very few family events or reunions that he did not attend or help plan.

Lee is preceded in death by his parents, his brother David, brother-in-law Ron Bartz, nephew and godson Travis Lee Gunlikson and great nephew Micah Bartz.

Lee Gunlikson- loving Dad, Papa, Brother, Uncle, Cousin, Teammate, Coach, Businessman, Fellow Lion and Friend to all . . . you will be missed!

God Bless the Memory of Julian Lee Gunlikson.

Memorial Contribution