Mary Louise (Gullickson) Bass Milton, 69, of La Porte, passed away at her home on Monday, February 7, 2022 after a 20 year battle with early-onset Alzheimer's.

 

Mary was born on September 23, 1952 in Orange City, IA , to Roland "Red" and Genevieve Veigh (Waggoner) Gullickson.  She graduated from La Porte High School in 1970 and received her bachelor's degree in Home Economics from Ball State and her master's degree from Purdue University.

 

In 2002, Mary retired from Michigan City Area Schools after almost 30 years of teaching at Elston Jr. High, Elston High School, and Rogers High School.  For several years prior to retirement, Mary served as the Home Economics Vocational Director for La Porte County.  She taught students, from all La Porte County high schools, who were interested in restaurant and chef careers.  Students came to her "kitchen laboratory" at the A. K. Smith Career Center where they ran a restaurant that daily served staff and students.

 

Mary was a lifelong member of Bethany Lutheran Church.  She was a former Sunday School teacher and, for many years, she managed the Bethany kitchen for the annual sunrise Easter breakfast.

 

Mary was an active parent and involved in her children's sports teams including La Porte High School swim team, wrestling team, girls' softball, and traveling AAU wresting team.  She was also supportive of her two sons, Aaron and Travis, as they proudly served in the U.S. Army, in Afghanistan and Iraq during the same 15 month period.

 

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Allen Milton on October 11, 2020.  Surviving Mary are her children, Aaron (Rose) Bass of Michigan City, Lisa Lambert of La Porte, Adam Bass of Michigan City, and Travis Bass of WI; 6 grandchildren, RJ, Russel, Megan, Luke, Nathan, and Norah; 2 step-children, Jason (Lucky) Milton and Laura (Shawn Fear) Milton; 2 step-grandchildren, Hayden and Arya; long time caregiver, Catalina Johnson; sister, Ardy (Tim) Hollingsworth; brother, Paul (Andrea) Gullickson; as well as many nieces and nephews.

 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center with Pastor Dennis Meyer officiating.  Burial will follow at Carmel Cemetery.

 

A time of visitation will be held from 4 - 7 p.m.  on Monday, February 14, 2022 at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday at the funeral home. 

 

Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana, 922 E. Colfax Ave., South Bend, IN 46617.

 

Condolences may be shared with the family on www.cutlercares.com.