Mary Lou Alison-Milavec

Mary Lou Alison-Milavec of Arvada died Dec. 26, 2013. She was born Oct. 2, 1919, in Ogden, Iowa to Dr. Clarence & Vivian Nordell. She grew up in Illinois where she graduated from Moline H.S. and Western Illinois University. She taught for three years and in 1942 married Major Robert F. Alison, her College sweetheart. After his discharge from the Air Corps they moved to Denver in 1948 and formed a partnership, "Dairy Queen of Denver and Suburbs." Their first store at 38th and Osceola is still at that location. They granted many sub-franchises and by the time of their retirement

there were 56 stores in their territory. After 49 years of marriage Bob Alison died in 1991. IN 1999 she was blessed by her marriage to Charles Milavec who died in 2009. She is survived by sons David (Linda) Alison of Pittsburgh, PA, Paul (Gloria) Alison of Highlands Ranch, CO and Bruce(Terri) of Arvada, CO; 2 step-daughters: Nancy (Darrell) Ahrens of Palisade, CO and Julie Milavec of Edgewater, grand children: Seth, John, Suzanne, Brian, Taylor, Robert (B.J.) Alison and Lesa Alison Hastings (Neil) and 2 step-grandchildren, Broc and Cameron Ahrens. Also survived by Ricka (Greg) Scott, Sandra Spears and Alison Stansberry, six nieces and nephews. Her parents and brother Dr. Warren Nordell, preceded her in death. Mary Lou was a member of Arvada United Methodist Church, P.E.O., Arvada Heights Needlework Guild, and several bridge, camping and square dance clubs. For 25 years she volunteered for the Meals-on-Wheels program, and for 10 years volunteered at the Arvada Center. She was a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority and named to Kappa Delta Pi, a national scholastic society. She loved to travel and visited 6 of the 7 continents.

Visitation will be held from 5-7:00pm, Thursday, January 2, at Olinger Crown Hill. Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, January 3, 2014 at Arvada United Methodist Church at 68th Ave. and Carr St. Memorials may be made to the Bell Choir at Arvada United Methodist Church or charity of your choice.