Dawn Nielsen

After a brave and hard-fought battle with cancer, at the young age of 57, Dawn Mills Nielsen passed on January 29, 2026, surrounded by her family and friends.

On September 17, 1968, Judith (Fullgraf) Mills and Ernest Lee Mills were thrilled to welcome their first daughter into their family.

Dawn grew up with her younger sister Jennifer (Matt) Goken in Sterling. She attended St. Mary’s Grade School and there met her life-long friends Lynne (Hippler) Ewald and Laura Richter. She attended Newman High School and graduated from Sterling High School in 1986.

While growing up Dawn’s parents owned and operated the Sterling Roller Dome. Dawn told stories about her 4’9” grandmother “Granny” holding the position of security/bouncer in those days. Dawn spent every spare minute there and was an accomplished skater. She said “that was my life” when growing up. Her skate partners were Opie King and Tim Berogan. The Berogan family “came with the rink” her parents purchased.

In 1992, while she was working at Farm & Fleet, her co-worker Brenda Dessing set her up with a Northwestern Steel & Wire work buddy of her husband, Larry, on a blind date. On that date she met the love of her life, Tom Nielsen. Little did she know she and Tom lived only a few houses from each other and Tom already had his eye on her! They were married on March 6, 1993, and Dawn now had a second family to cherish. Roger and Jane Nielsen were like a second set of parents to Dawn, people she could always count on. Tom accepted the roll of stepdad to Dawn’s “#1 Son” Kyle Cooper. That same year Dawn and Tom started their own property management business. A year later they welcomed their daughter, Nichole, to the family.

Dawn went on to earn her real estate brokers license in 2002 and started her career with Mel Foster Co. She then went to work with Re-Max of Rock Falls which transitioned into Extreme Realty. During her career, she thoroughly enjoyed the often personal, process of finding just the right home for more than 700 clients. Many who are now dear friends.

Tom and Dawn enjoyed riding their motorcycle for more than 20 years and were members of the local H.O.G. Chapter. They took many fun and exciting trips to Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Texas, and Sturgis. There they met riding buddies Steve and Lora Ketchem. They also met dear friend, Brandi Newell, event planner for the Thursday Night Dinner Group, often getting together at El Tapatio in Rock Falls.

She was a music lover from an early age. There were always current hits playing at the Sterling Roller Dome. She especially LOVED attending live music performances “some of the best were in a garage or a campground.” More specifically, local music performances by Problem Child, Jr. Echebarria, Old School, Jimmy Harrington, and Slick Trigger just to name a few of her favorites. For many years Dawn and her mother along with friends and family went to the Mississippi Valley Fair until 2023 when her mother couldn’t travel any longer. She also took her mother to many major concerts, and some frequent favorites were Kenny Rogers, Oak Ridge Boys, and Alabama.

Another favorite activity Dawn enjoyed was traveling. She and Tom enjoyed many wonderful and crazy vacations to Florida, Georgia, Key West, Vegas, and California and many places in between. With sister, Jennifer, and friends, Lynne and Eric Edwald, whether to visit family or just enjoy the experience, Dawn was always up for a trip! The beach was her “happy place.” She also had a great time on her many girls’ weekends in Galena and Chicago.

Dawn enjoyed meeting new people, networking, and many social events like the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. For her 40th birthday she went skydiving. She was always up for trying something new like driving a combine at former Farm & Fleet co-worker, Anthony Bollman’s farm, to riding in the semi with Chuck Austin. She loved to ride in her convertible with the top down in the summer. She was always busy attending sporting and school events with her grandchildren. She volunteered for “Proud to wear Pink” and she and Tom participated in the motorcycle ride to Memphis for St. Judes several times. Dawn always had a kind word, a positive outlook, and absolutely enjoyed life.

Dawn is preceded by her parents, Ernest Lee Mills and Judith Mills, her brother Denny Mills, her mother-in-law Susan Nielsen, and her maternal grandmother “Granny” Lorraine Fullgraf.

Dawn is survived by her loving husband Tom; her son Kyle Cooper, and his two children Keelie and Alexander. Dawn and Tom’s daughter, Nichole Nielsen and Nichole’s three children Skylur, Raleigh, and Weston. Her niece and nephew Ashley and Ryan Mills. Her sister Jennifer (Matt) Goken and her children Tori, and Jaden Nielsen. By her father and mother-in-law Roger and Jane Nielsen. Her brothers-in-law Ron Nielsen, Russell Coers and their children Jacob, Ryan and Lilly Coers, Jason (Anna) Nielsen and their children Iris and Hazel, Nick (Ashley) Nielsen and their son Sullivan, and Russell Coers and his sons Jacob and Ryan. By her sister-in-law Kristy Nielsen and her daughter Olivia. Along with many cousins and great nieces and nephews.

Dawn’s realtor bestie, Julie Walker of Fulton, was her transportation to and from her many appointments these last few years, thank you Julie. Above all Dawn cherished her family and friends, and she was blessed with MANY. That was very evident whether at her benefit shortly after her cancer diagnosis, during the last few years of her daily battles, or in these last months of her time with us, she was surrounded by so many who loved her and will miss her dearly.

Visitation will be 5PM-8PM Friday February 6, 2026 at Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation. Funeral service will be 11 AM Saturday February 7, 2026 at Harvest Time Bible Church, with pastor Dalmus Meeks, officiating. There will also be a visitation one hour prior to the funeral from 10AM-11AM on Saturday. Cremation rites will be accorded after the funeral service.

A memorial has been established.

Condolences and Memorial donations may be made at www.schillingfuneralhome.com