Vendla Zollinger Nilson passed away peacefully at her home on February 5, 2024, in Oregon City, Oregon, at the age of 102 and one day.

Vendla is survived by her nine children: Bruce (Janice), Larry (Jenny), Kristy (Alvin), Susan (Craig), Rex (Torri), Kym (Ann), Glendon (Rae Ann), Laurie (Dan) and Todd (Jill) and over 130 grandchildren, great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Claude Stirland Nilson on February 6,1993 and son-in-law Alvin Hiatt, grandson Samuel Nilson, granddaughter Melia McVay, great granddaughter Maddie Joi, her parents and brothers and sisters.

Vendla was born on February 4, 1922, ninth of 11 children, to Joseph Hyrum Zollinger and Laura Aikele Zollinger in Providence, Utah. She graduated from South Cache High School in 1940. She attended Utah State Agricultural College. She married Claude Stirland Nilson (Mr. Nilson as he was affectionately called) on July 3, 1946. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Portland, Oregon. Vendla worked for several companies, the longest being the Mill End Store where she was a buyer in the Bridal Department for several years and traveled twice to Belgium on lace buying excursions.

Vendla was passionate about life. She loved flowers and trees, fabrics and sewing and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved to travel and went all over the United States and several countries, including Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, England, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Scandinavia and China. In all, she went on nine cruises, nine trips to Europe and Asia, countless trips across the US and over one hundred trips to Utah. She said she loved being with her family, 'the best and greatest blessing of her life'.

Vendla was the Providence Rodeo Queen in 1943 and the Providence War Bond Queen in 1945. She worked at Hill Air Force Base in Utah in 1944 and was her Dad's farmhand after she left Hill Field. Vendla always looked beautiful wherever she went, with her hair being a main concern. She also took part in the community by providing voting booths in her home in Portland, along with counting the votes. Vendla was very patriotic, loved America and believed everyone should fly the American flag, regularly checking with kids and grandkids to make sure they were in compliance.

Vendla was a 'Thank You Note' queen. She sent out thousands in her lifetime. One would get a super sweet note for the smallest gift or gesture, addressing it to 'Special, My Special One or Ones'.
Vendla loved the Gospel and was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She served in several callings, including 10 years as Primary President. She also served several years in the Portland Oregon Temple and loved her work there. She was a missionary for three months in Fresno, California in 2001 and 2002 with her good friend, Floy Harley. Her calling card and favorite saying in life was, 'If you do what's right, the Lord will bless you' and later in life it was 'You'll get your reward in heaven'.

The family would like to especially thank her daughter and son-in-law, Laurie and Dan Burke and their family, for all of their amazing, loving years of kindness and service, helping her to have a most blessed and wonderful life. We also want to thank the incredible Hospice team from Accent Care.