Dorothy Lee Nilsen, 89, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2002, at the Lutheran Home.

She was born Jan. 5, 1913, in Piggott, Ark., daughter of Henry and Cora Perkins Nicolaides. She and Wedel D. Nilsen were married Dec. 21, 1952, in Elmhurst, Ill.

Nilsen received a bachelor of science degree from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. She was a teacher 35 years at Elmhurst and Mounds, Ill., schools and wrote teachers manuals used in elementary schools throughout the United States. She was recognized for her teaching contributions by the state of Illinois in 1973.

She was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church.

Survivors include her husband; four sisters, Pauline Green and Helen Roberts of Cape Girardeau, Virginia Dapkus of Highland, Ill., and Joyce Wallace of Sarasota, Fla.

She was preceded in death by five brothers.

There is no visitation or service.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.