Dolores M. Nelson

Dolores was born on June 13, 1922 in Milwaukie, OR to William and Teressa (Bollinger) McLaughlin. She graduated from Sherwood High School in 1940 and received a Merit Scholarship to Pacific University, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Dolores enlisted in the Army WAC during WWII and served in Long Beach, CA for two years. She achieved the rank of Sgt. TEC 4 before her Honorable Discharge. Dolores returned to college, enrolling at Oregon State College and completed the educational requirements for her Master’s Degree.

Dolores loved education and taught high school after graduating from college. Her first teaching assignment was at Parkdale High School in Oregon. She also taught at Siletz High School and North Marion High School. Her students adored her and called her “Miss Mac”. Dolores left teaching to become the Executive Secretary at Oregon Saw Chain, which later became Omark Industries. In the late 1950’s, she moved to Cincinnati, OH to open up a branch office for the company. Once her children were in school, Dolores went to work at Tualatin Elementary School and later Tigard High School, where she was lovingly nicknamed, “The Milkshake Lady”. She worked there until her retirement in 1987.

After moving back to Oregon, Dolores became reacquainted with her high school love. She and Marvin Nelson married on February 14, 1964. They raised two daughters, Laurel and Linda, and one son, Dan. Marvin passed away on March 20, 1990.

Dolores was very active in her community and her church. She volunteered weekly at Loaves and Fishes, and at the Tualatin Methodist Church. She was an active member of the Tualatin VFW Auxiliary, serving several times as President and Vice President. She was the most generous, giving person and would always do whatever she could to help anyone in need.

Dolores had a passion for traveling with family and friends. Her favorite mode of travel was the cruise ship. She went many times to Alaska, traveled through the Panama Canal, took river boat cruises in Branson, MO, and sailed to Hawaii. She also flew to Europe on a few occasions. Dolores had an amazing sense of humor and a quick smile for everyone. She loved chatting with anyone and everyone, and thought a stranger was just a friend she hadn’t met yet. She will be greatly missed.

Dolores was preceded in death by her son, David, husband, Marvin, parents, Bill and Teressa, brothers Harvey and Bill, and her sister, Henrietta. She is survived by her children, Laurel (Steve), Linda (Nick), and Dan (Gail); 6 grandchildren, Kayla, Zane, Brianna, Alexis, Nathaniel, and Quentin; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life and Military Honors Presentation will be held on Saturday, September 19th, 2020 at Young’s Funeral Home in Tigard, OR at 11 o’clock a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the VFW Auxiliary #3452 in Tualatin, or your favorite charity.