Delores Nilson

Delores "Dee" Ericson Nilson, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 13, 2017, at the age of 81, after a lengthy illness. Among Dee's final words to her family were, “Ring the Bells of Heaven, there is joy today, Grandma Dee is free from pain and with her blessed Lord”.

Dee was born on March 16, 1935, to Raymond and Myrtle Ericson in Holdrege, Nebraska. She had one older brother, Norman, with whom she was very close. She was blessed to have grown up in a caring family that loved and served the Lord. Dee placed her trust in Jesus Christ as a small child and enthusiastically followed Him throughout her life. She was very active in her church where she used her musical talents to sing duets with her brother, sing solos and to play the piano, the church organ and her saxophone. Dee later enjoyed sharing her love for Christ through leading children's ministries, teaching children's bible clubs in her home, leading Bible studies for international students, hosting many parties for international students in her home, directing Christmas programs and serving as the church pianist and or organist.

Anyone who knew Dee would say that she was intelligent, bright and joyful. Dee was always willing to take a strong stand for righteousness and truth with love. The students who sat in her classes during her 35 years of teaching were blessed by her commitment to teaching and her kind wisdom. Dee had a knack for teaching reading to young children and many voracious readers can credit her with their love of books and learning. She taught students in many states and a wide variety of social settings ranging from kindergarten classes to international students at the university level.

Dee attended Trinity Bible College and then transferred to Nebraska University. Dee worked her way through college as a professional singer, primarily for the “Back to the Bible” radio ministry. At the University of Nebraska, Dee served in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship where she met her loving and faithful husband, Mark Nilson. From the beginning of their courtship, Dee and Mark found they shared a deep Christian faith with a strong Christian heritage on both sides of their families. They were delighted to find they also shared a common Swedish heritage with strong Swedish traditions. God truly prepared them for their life together.

Mark and Delores were married on August 26, 1961 and were blessed with two children, Victor and Lori. Their family grew very close during their many moves due to Mark's career in aerospace and with FAA. Mark and Dee worked to diligently guide their children as well as to send them to Christian schools. Dee was a precious mother and devoted wife who continually put the rest of her family first. She was always ready to listen and to encourage her children and grandchildren whom she loved so dearly. After Mark's retirement as an Electronics Engineer Instructor, Mark and Dee moved to Birmingham, AL to be near her daughter and family and closer to her son and family. Dee's four grandchildren were her great delight and joy. Dee made life so fun. With Grandma Dee, it came to be a well understood fact, that there would always be fresh baked brownies and time to sip on a mug of hot chocolate. Likely while eating brownies and drinking hot chocolate, her grandchildren would be reminded of God's love for them.

Dee will be remembered for her radiant smile, her sweet devotion to Christ and her deep love for her family. She leaves a beautiful legacy and she will be missed greatly. Dee cherished and lived by God's word. Her favorite scriptures were Psalm 84 and Philippians 4.

Dee and Mark attend Shades Mountain Baptist Church and have appreciated their many

Sunday school friends and have been overwhelmed by the love and care given to them throughout Dee's extended illness.

Dee is survived by her loving husband, Mark Nilson; her son, Victor (Heidi) and their two sons,

Mark Allan and Victor Wyatt; her daughter, Lori Gilson and her children, Bryant and Katelyn “Katie” Gilson; as well as many loving family and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Myrtle Ericson; her brother, Norman Ericson; and her son-in-law, Glen Gilson.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held for Dee on Saturday, February 18, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. at Shades Mountain Baptist Church in the Hearth Room in Birmingham, AL. There will be no visitation.

Donations in honor of Dee's life may be made to Gideon's International

(Dee's father was a Gideon and this ministry has always been dear to Dee's heart.)

http://www.gideons.org/sendtheword/default.aspx

Celebration of Life