Lester D. Nilson

of Midland, South Dakota, died on Friday, October 15, 1993
at the Northern Hills General Hospital in Deadwood at the age of 58

Lester Dean Nilson, better known as "Dean", was born September 6, 1935 at Atkinson, Nebraska to Roy W. and Emma (Bausch) Nilson.

As a child he moved with his parents and family to New Port, Nebraska, where he grew up and received his education.  When he was a young man he worked in the Gregory and Midland, South Dakota areas hauling hay for Sammon's Trucking.

Dean was united in marriage to Donna Jane Massey on December 24, 1956 at Midland, South Dakota.

They made their home on the Diamond Ring Ranch northwest of Midland where he worked as a farm and ranch hand.  In 1976, they moved into Midland where the children went to high school and also because of his wife's health.  He continued to work for the Diamond Ring Ranch.

After his wife's death on August 21, 1980, he moved to Black Hawk, South Dakota where he had continued to reside.  He was employed as a truck driver for South Dakota Concrete Products until the time of his death.

Dean was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and a former member of the Masons, both of Midland.  He enjoyed the outdoors and time riding his Harley Davidson motorcyle.

Grateful for having shared his life are his son, Lyle Nilson and his wife, Mary, of Pierre, South Dakota; three daughters, Cindy Raley and her husband, Gerald, of Black Hawk, South Dakota, Susan Nilson of Rapid City, and Becky Lange and her husband, Daniel, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; eight grandchildren; two brothers, Lonnie Nilson of Selby, South Dakota, and Ervin Nilson of Denver, Colorado; two sisters, Beverly Caldwader of Stuart, Nebraska and Vi Schneider of Bristow, Nebraska; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to his wife, Donna Jane, he was preceded in death by his parents.

Services
Monday, October 18, 1993
2:00 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church
Midland, South Dakota

Officiating
Reverend Martin Osterloh

Music
Robert Sheeley - Organist
Lila Briggs - Vocalist
"How Great Thou Art"
"Abide With Me"

Ushers
Jerry Engelhaupt - Duane Nickle

Active Pallbearers
Martin Haeme - Lenny Skillingstad
Jerry Knutson - Joseph Raley
Duane Hannum - Dan Holter

Honorary Pallbearers
All relatives and friends in attendance

Interment
Midland Cemetery
Midland, South Dakota

Service Details

Services
Monday, October 18, 1993
2:00 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church in Midland