Britt E Nilsson

Britt Nilsson, 85, a long-time resident of the Beverly area, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, August 12, 2023. Britt was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 68 years, Bruno Nilsson; loving mother of the late Kenneth (Rebecca) Nilsson, John (Diane) Nilsson, Susan (David) Nilsson Kroll, and Eric (Sandra) Nilsson; cherished “Mormor och Farmor” to 12 grandchildren and memorable great-grandmother to 20+ great-grandchildren. She left this world surrounded by the love of her family and friends. Britt, born to Rut (Karlsson) and Paul Aronsson on April 30, 1938, in Dalsland, Sweden, was number five of ten siblings of which eight (Evert, Ova, Alma, Eva, Stig, Ebba, Frank, and Aina) preceded her in death. Ake Aronsson (Kerstin Aronsson) survives his sister in death. All of Britt’s many nieces and nephews and their respective families held her in high esteem. Britt, along with her husband and two sons, then aged 4 and 2 immigrated to America aboard an eleven-day cruise in 1958, eventually settling into their home on 107th Street in the mid 1960’s. Britt took great pride in living in Beverly, the lovely neighborhood where she and Bruno lived for 58 of their 68 years together. She volunteered in many roles at Clissold Elementary School while her children attended - as a PTA member, providing hot chocolate to the crossing guards in the winter, field-trip chaperone, and creating the “lunch mother program”. As a Ridge Lutheran Church member, she led the charge to start sign language classes, helped in the kitchen, enjoyed bible study, and took an active interest towards overlooked, disengaged teenaged members. Britt became a “go-to” person in the neighborhood, even helping with Meals on Wheels. Britt loved the USA. Early-on, she learned to speak English and became a U.S. citizen, however, she maintained a passion towards her heritage and never forgot about Swedish culture and tradition. Consequently, Britt became highly active in the Vasa Order of America, allowing her to socialize with like-minded people. Although Vasa involvement often proved to be more work than socializing, she took pride in being part of an organization dedicated to sharing and preserving her culture. Some of the Vasa affiliated groups which Britt committed her energy towards include Children’s Day Committee, Bessemer Lodge, Lake Michigan District No. 8 Lodge, American Daughters of Sweden, Vasa Park, Friends of Vasa Park, The Swedish American Museum, and a children’s choir called Solstrålen. Britt received a personal invitation to attend a luncheon in downtown Chicago to welcome the King of Sweden. Britt started her own company, Britt’s Imports, on Western Avenue in the early 1980’s importing Swedish woven vinyl rugs. Her business quickly grew and she partnered with Britta Angshed in opening The Scandinavian Affair on Harlem Avenue in Palos Heights. Britt not only sold rugs locally at the retail level, but she distributed at the wholesale level to other stores throughout the US. An impressive feat for someone without any business education or experience. Nothing gave Britt more joy than her family - children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives left behind in Sweden, and those sprinkled throughout the US. She always made everyone feel special and welcome. Britt made the holidays special and instilled traditions her family continues to sustain. Her family will miss her meatballs, rice pudding, cheesecake, and cookies; but most of all, they will miss her kindness and loving smile. Britt and Bruno enjoyed a marriage of 68 years that blossomed from four weary travelers coming by ocean liner to 40 beautiful souls spread throughout the Chicago area. Britt and Bruno’s courage, honesty, and love live on through all of us who knew them. Britt is now reunited with her best friend Bruno to continue their never-ending love for one another.

Memorial donations can be made as follows: “Southside VASA Scholarship Fund” Make donations payable to “DLLM No. 8/SS Scholarship fund.” Put "Britt Nilsson Memorial” in memo area. Mail to: DLT Linda W Christensen 1236 Ridge Road Carmel, IN 46033 Alzheimer’s Association www.act.alz.org or Link to Britt’s Tribute Page: https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pg=fund&fr_id=1060&pxfid=831153

Memorial Visitation: Saturday, September 16, 2023, 11:00am until Services 1:00pm at Chapel Hill Gardens South Funeral Home 11333 S Central Avenue Oak Lawn, IL 60453 (708) 636-1200 or visit www.ChapelHillGardensSouth.com

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapelHillGardensSouth.com for the Nilsson family.