Delores M. Nikunen, age 84

Delores M. Nikunen, 84, of Thornton, CO, passed away Sunday, July 20, 2025 at Life Care Center of Westminster.
Dee was born November 23, 1940 in Orange City, IA to Peter J. and Lorine (Kiewel) Mulder. She attended Klondike, IA and Flandreau, SD schools and ultimately graduated from Washington High School, Sioux Falls, SD in 1959. She graduated from Minnesota School of Business, Minneapolis, MN in 1960.
Dee married John R. Nikunen on June 30, 1960. They settled in Embarass, MN. Dee worked for Judge Ralph Harvey until they moved to Thornton, CO in 1973. She was a legal secretary for George Ashen for over 20 years. She then worked for Lincoln Financial until her retirement.
Dee was a good cook and she knew it! She had a quick smile and a twinkle in her eyes. John and Dee always had a bountiful vegetable garden. She would preserve the fruits of their labor by canning or freezing the produce. She loved to bless others by sharing her cooking and baking. Dee crocheted many beautiful afghans that she also gifted to others. They had many, many pets through the years.
Dee was a long time member of St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Northglenn, CO.
Surviving are her husband of 65 years: John, Westminster, CO; her brother: Pete, Hackett, AR; step sister: Clarice (Dennis) Dean, Las Vegas, NV; sisters-in-law: Dar Mulder, Flandreau, SD, Sue (Jack) Knauer, Minneapolis, MN, Diane Nikunen, Rushford, MN and Kathy (Ben) Gentilini, Virginia, MN; and nephews and nieces: Doug Mulder, Flandreau, SD, Colleen (JD) Headrick, Lebanon, IL, Michelle (Ralph) Lasiter, Hackett, AR, Tony (Lela) Mulder, Bella Vista, AR, Jeff (Anne) Knauer and Nancy (Laura) Knauer both of Minneapolis, MN.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a step father, Elmer Kuehn, a step mother, June Mulder, her in-laws, John and Selina (Hendrickson) Nikunen, her brother, Jim Mulder and niece, Pam Schipper.
Services will be held and streamed live, Wednesday, August 20, 2025 12:00 pm (Central Time) at Newcomer Funeral Home, West Metro, 901 S Sheridan Blvd, Denver, CO 80226 (www.newcomerdenver.com) with Pastor Michael TeKrony officiating. Burial will follow at Fort Logan National Cemetery.