1 Upcoming Event
Service
JAN
24
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Starts at 3:00 pm
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
2723 Clark Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27607
Larry Jerker Nilsson, age 78, died peacefully on Saturday, January 3, 2026, in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Larry was born in Bastad, Sweden, and at the age of three moved with his family to Rockford, Illinois, where he grew up and spent most of his adult life. After graduating from East High School in Rockford, he attended and graduated from Southern Illinois University. Larry built a long and successful career in sales, representing manufacturing companies for more than 30 years.
In 2009, Larry and his wife Sandra (Jacobson), embarked on a new adventure together, moving to Cairo, Egypt, where they taught at the American International School. After their time abroad, they settled in the Raleigh/Wendell area of North Carolina to be closer to their younger son, Christian, and his family.
Larry was a faithful member of the Lutheran Church and lived his life guided by quiet faith, integrity and deep commitment to his family. He loved to travel and, together with Sandy, visited more than 30 countries around the world. A talented woodworker and natural problem-solver, Larry could fix almost anything and took pride in working with his hands. In retirement, Larry and Sandy enjoyed sailing throughout the Great Lakes before eventually sailing from Canada through the Erie Canal along the Atlantic coast to North Carolina.
Though he could appear to be a stoic Swede, Larry possessed a sharp sense of humor and a wide-ranging curiosity about the world. Above all, family was at the center of his life.
Larry is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Sandra; his sons Erik (Ingrid) and Christian (Kathleen); and his four cherished grandsons—Torsten, Bjorn, Konrad, and Henrik—of whom he was immensely proud. He was predeceased by his parents,Gotthard and Gunborg, sisters, Billie and Ylva, and brother, Bill.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2723 Clark Ave. Raleigh, NC 27607. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Larry's memory. A celebration of life is planned in Rockford, Illinois later this spring.
Larry was born in Bastad, Sweden, and at the age of three moved with his family to Rockford, Illinois, where he grew up and spent most of his adult life. After graduating from East High School in Rockford, he attended and graduated from Southern Illinois University. Larry built a long and successful career in sales, representing manufacturing companies for more than 30 years.
In 2009, Larry and his wife Sandra (Jacobson), embarked on a new adventure together, moving to Cairo, Egypt, where they taught at the American International School. After their time abroad, they settled in the Raleigh/Wendell area of North Carolina to be closer to their younger son, Christian, and his family.
Larry was a faithful member of the Lutheran Church and lived his life guided by quiet faith, integrity and deep commitment to his family. He loved to travel and, together with Sandy, visited more than 30 countries around the world. A talented woodworker and natural problem-solver, Larry could fix almost anything and took pride in working with his hands. In retirement, Larry and Sandy enjoyed sailing throughout the Great Lakes before eventually sailing from Canada through the Erie Canal along the Atlantic coast to North Carolina.
Though he could appear to be a stoic Swede, Larry possessed a sharp sense of humor and a wide-ranging curiosity about the world. Above all, family was at the center of his life.
Larry is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Sandra; his sons Erik (Ingrid) and Christian (Kathleen); and his four cherished grandsons—Torsten, Bjorn, Konrad, and Henrik—of whom he was immensely proud. He was predeceased by his parents,Gotthard and Gunborg, sisters, Billie and Ylva, and brother, Bill.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2723 Clark Ave. Raleigh, NC 27607. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Larry's memory. A celebration of life is planned in Rockford, Illinois later this spring.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Larry Jerker Nilsson, please visit our flower store.
Larry Jerker Nilsson's Guestbook
Visits: 53
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors