Obituary of Dwight Frederick Nilsen

Fred and Gladys Nilsen welcomed their first son, Dwight Frederick on October 17, 1935. Dwight was born in Seattle, Washington, and was soon joined by brothers Gary and Terry. The Nilsen family made their home in the North Lake City neighborhood of Seattle. On August 16, 2022, Dwight peacefully passed at his family home in Lacey, Washington, surrounded by all his children and wife, Lynn.

Dwight graduated from Roosevelt High School and attended the University of Washington. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1955 and served his entire active career in the Air Navy at Guntanamo Bay, Cuba, and eight years of Reserve duty.

Following his military service, Dwight resided in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he married Raynah Cook. They moved to Seattle and Dwight became a residential developer with an incredible talent for architectural design. He became known for building elegant homes throughout Bellevue and King County, Washington. In his early adult years, Dwight donated a kidney to his brother Gary.

After his marriage to Raynah ended, Dwight married Fanny R. Arjona and they soon welcomed their children, Monique Lucero (Phillip) and Diego Fernando (Martine). Following their divorce, Dwight welcomed Cynthia Bonner and her three daughters, Crystaline, Lauren and Kellen, into his family home in Bellevue, later moving to Camano Island. Late in his life and after a four-year courtship, Dwight married Lynn Drake at their family home in Lacey and welcomed her children, Mark (Nicole) and Matthew (Danielle) into his family.

During their time together in Lacey, Dwight designed a complete renovation of their family home. The most wonderful and exciting moments in his life were when he became a grandpa; two years after Roman Frederick was born, he welcome a granddaughter, Alma Genevieve. His grandchildren were the highlights of his life and he cherished their visits and phone calls.

Dwight was a Man for all Seasons; he worked hard, cherished his family, retired happy, enjoyed sunshine and loved sweets. We will miss his wicked humor, his brilliant guidance, and generous heart.

Our family would like to thank Dr. Alania Plavsky, the doctors and nurses of St. Peter Hospital, 6th floor, for their kindness, patience and the wonderful care provided to Dwight.  You will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Family and friends gathered together to celebrate Dwight’s life on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at his home in Lacey.

To view Dwight’s Celebration of Life video, please click here:  https://vimeo.com/747422403/e8f03c22e6

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