Gene was born in Fargo, North Dakota, to Cecil Leland and Amelia (Amundson) Wicklund on January 12, 1944. He moved with his family to Bremerton, Washington, Redfield, South Dakota, Moorhead, Minnesota, and Riverdale, North Dakota where he graduated from high school. Gene participated in sports, and was the class and Luther League presidents. Gene loved electronics and was an enthusiastic member of the licensed amateur community.

Following graduation, he attended the State School of Science in Wahpeton, North Dakota, where he studied electronics. Gene was employed at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Welu Dental Laboratories, Radio and TV Equipment, Marquee Dental Laboratories and owned and operated Wicklund Communications, Inc.

Gene married his high school sweetheart, Vicki Ditch. They had two beautiful children, James (Rachel) of Ely, Minnesota and Lisa (Travis) of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

On June 1, 1985, Gene married Diane Boulden KB0DTW. Gene was very proud of his all-ham family. Gene and Diane had two sons, Ross KD0GWC and John KD0GWB. Gene was an active scout leader, served his Lord in many capacities at First Baptist Church in Fargo, North Dakota, long-time Bison Teammaker and charter member of the Red River Zoo.

Gene cherished time spent with his brothers, Richard (Betty), Pasadena, California and David (Donna), Rollag, Minnesota, and his nieces and nephews, Cheryl (Mark John) Haugo, Susan (Jeff) Zeltinger, Gregg (Derel), Kathy (James) Eggmann and great-nieces and nephews, Michael, Chad, Katie, Austin, Lyndie, and Nicholas.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents and his nephew, Marc.