She was one of 10 children born to Frank and Sarah (Lizzie Mitts) Hilton on Dec. 30, 1913 in Macksburg, Ore.  She has one surviving sister, Dorothy Pearsall, of Whidbey Island, Wash.

Lela graduated from Molalla High School in 1932. She married Edgar Nicholson on Oct. 17, 1933 in Vancouver, Wash. They resided in the Scotts Mills area most of their lives, living much of the time on their Maple Grove Road farm.

Lela was a devoted homemaker as well as being very involved in the many farming responsibilities. Lela had a great appreciation for art, music and poetry. Gardening and flowers were a great joy in her life.

She is survived by her loving family, including daughters Delores Cooper of Salt Lake, Janice (Tom) Wareham of Springfield and Eileen (Dick) Holmes of Molalla; four grandchildren; nine great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and a great-great granddaughter.

Services will be held Sunday, Aug. 21 at 2 p.m. at Molalla Funeral Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Willamette Falls Hospice.

Reprinted from the Molalla (Oregon) Pioneer, published: 8/16/2011