LaVerne "Vern" Iver Nilsson, 91, of Green Valley, Arizona, passed away March 4, 2018, after a brief illness. Per Vern's wishes, there will be no services.

Vern was born May 14, 1926, in Rockford, Illinois, to Charles and Ruth (Eklund) Nilsson.  He graduated from East Rockford High School in January 1944 at age 17, enlisting immediately in the U.S. Navy where he served on the U.S.S. George Clymer (APA-27) in the South Pacific. Following the end of World War II, Vern enrolled at Northern Illinois University, ultimately transferring to the University of Iowa, graduating in 1949.  While at Iowa he met his future wife, the former Mary Elizabeth Longfellow, whom he married on July 7, 1951, in Waterloo, Iowa. Vern owned and operated the Waterloo Tile and Marble Company.  He was a Rotarian for 60 years, a Cedar Valley Hospice volunteer, a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, the Elks Club, and  was a Friend of Bill for 45 years.

Vern and Mary wintered in Green Valley for 23 years, moving to La Posada in 2016. An avid golfer--although a hole-in-one always eluded him--he was a member of Sunnyside (Waterloo. Iowa) and Green Valley Country Clubs. Vern was a world traveler, a collector of fine art, and a fan of Iowa football and wrestling. He also enjoyed reading, playing bridge, spending time with friends and family, and discovering great restaurants.

Vern is survived by Mary, his wife of 67 years, four children; Lisa Nilsson of Cedar Rapids, IA, Matt Nilsson (Jeanne) of Bettendorf, IA,  Hillary McAndrews (Jamie) of Philadelphia, PA, and Kurt Nilsson (Carrie) of Cedar Rapids, IA, four grandchildren; Kelsey and Sam Nilsson and Cullen and Ella McAndrews, his sister in law June Warner (David) of Charleston, South Carolina, as well as a niece and two nephews.

Please share a memory of Vern at www.greenvalleymortuary.net under obituaries. In lieu of flowers the family requests you make a donation to the charity of your choice.