Nilsa Jane Nippolt was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on April 4, 1963, the fourth of five daughters.

Her sunny smile and sweet nature made her a family favorite. The family moved to Southern California where Nilsa‘s love of tennis and of horses began. Nilsa‘s beloved pony Marty was her frequent companion and they were seen all around Laguna Beach, once even in a very tony Newport Beach mansion. The family moved to The Dalles and then to Hood River in 1973 where Nilsa continued to ride and play tennis.

She was also known for her crazy pranks and her love of fashion. A natural athlete, she skied and did gymnastics and danced in several musicals. Any open space, including the living room, was a good spot for a cartwheel or back walkover. Nilsa graduated in 1981 from Hood River Valley high school and then the University of Oregon in 1985. After graduation Nilsa moved to California to work on The Tonight Show at NBC and at Kbig and KJOY radio stations where she worked in PR and met such dignitaries as Barbara Bush.

She married Mike Zeman in 1988 and moved to Hood River.

Nilsa worked in sales for Sprint and later Cisco foods. One year she was Cisco foods top National sales person. Her son Sebastian Z Zeman was born in 2003.

Still riding horses, playing tennis and charming many, she built a log home in Parkdale that she eventually ran as a Bed and Breakfast called Bigfoot Lodge. Nilsa met many people who became her friends. Her fun-loving, gregarious and glamorous personality attracted many people to her.

She traveled and went on a lot of great vacations and adventures. She had horses that she loved and she played on several tennis teams. She was incredibly proud of her son, and spent a lot of time watching him play sports.

Nilsa sold her bed-and-breakfast this year and had planned a future of more travel and recreation. She played and won a tennis tournament the weekend before she had surgery for ovarian cancer. Nilsa unexpectedly died of complications of her illness on December 23, 2021.

Her broken-hearted family includes her mother Sharon Koehlor Nippolt, her son Sebastian Zeman, sisters Teresa Nippolt, Kate Huttemann (Mark ), Annie Bryant (Clark) and a huge family who adored her and are devastated by her death. Nilsa was predeceased by her father Robert John Nippolt and her sister Ellen Nippolt. Life will not be the same without her.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.