Covenant News

Memorial Service Held for Nils G. Axelson

CHICAGO (July, 1999) - A memorial service for former Covenant Benevolent Institutions President Nils G. Axelson was held Monday, July 19, at Northbrook Covenant Church, 2737 Techny Road (located at the intersection of Techny and Pfingsten Roads) in Northbrook, Illinois. Axelson died July 14 at Swedish Covenant Hospital.

Axelson retired June 30, 1992, following 40 years as a leader in the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC). He and his wife, Lois, continued to make their home in Northbrook following his retirement.

"We have lost the founder of the Board of Benevolence and the creator of all of the institutions and systems as we know them today," said Paul V. Peterson, current president of Covenant Ministries of Benevolence of the Evangelical Covenant Church. "We have lost a great friend throughout the Covenant, because of the work he has done in this whole area of benevolence and how he has supported the church through his dignified and statesmanlike conduct," Peterson added.

Glenn R. Palmberg, president of the Evangelical Covenant Church and long-time friend of Axelson, described him as "a deeply devoted servant of the Lord who gave his considerable gifts and a large portion of his life to the Covenant Church. He played a landmark role in establishing and expanding our capacity to care for those who are ill or aging, which has always been an important part of our mission as a Covenant," Palmberg said. "His legacy will outlive all of us who were privileged to know him," he said, adding, "our love and prayers are with his wife, Lois, and their family. Thanks be to God for the life and witness of Nils Axelson."

Rolland Carlson, who succeeded Axelson as president, praised Axelson's commitment to Christ and the dedication of his life to the benevolent work of the church. "He was a gentle, kind giant of a man and a visionary who was able to take his visions into the reality of our hospitals, retirement communities and the wellness center," Carlson said. "He mentored many of us in his unique way. He was a unique man."

Born in 1925 in New York City, Axelson was nurtured in Bethesda Covenant Church. Following service in the United States Navy, he attended Upsala College in East Orange, New Jersey, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree. He earned a Master of Arts degree in hospital administration from Northwestern University School of Management in 1951.

He served as district administrator for Lutheran Hospitals and Homes Society in Fargo, North Dakota, before moving to Chicago in 1952 to assume duties as administrator of Swedish Covenant Hospital and its School of Nursing, Covenant Home, and Covenant Palms, a retirement community in Miami. In ensuing years, he helped develop a Covenant network of benevolent institutions throughout the United States, including Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock, California; twelve Covenant retirement communities; and Galter LifeCenter on the Green located adjacent to the Chicago hospital. Under his leadership, a multi-million-dollar free care endowment fund was developed, along with estate planning programs to benefit a number of Covenant institutions.

As a special tribute in recognition of Axelson's contributions, friends and colleagues raised the necessary funds to establish the Nils G. Axelson Chair in Not-for-Profit Management at North Park University. His numerous awards included an honorary doctor of science degree from North Park College and Theological Seminary, the Laura G. Jackson Alumni Achievement Award from Northwestern University, and two of the highest awards in the healthcare industry – the 1981 Award of Merit from the American Protestant Hospital Association, and the 1989 Distinguished Service Award from the American Association of Homes for the Aging. He also was the recipient of the Recognition for Distinguished Leadership awarded by the Evangelical Covenant Church in 1982.

During his active business years, Axelson served on the boards of directors of the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council, the Olsson Study Committee for Cook County Hospital, and as a director and founding member of the North River Commission.

Axelson Manor, the assisted-living facility at Covenant Village of Northbrook, was named in his honor in 1981.

The family suggests memorials be directed to Swedish Covenant Hospital, 5145 N. California Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60625, or Covenant Village of Northbrook, 2625 Techny Road, Northbrook, IL, 60062.

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