GERALD "JERRY" JOSEPH NELSON

Gerald "Jerry" Joseph Nelson, 80, of Brownsville, passed away Monday, September 14, 2014 at Mayo Health Systems, LaCrosse, WI. > > Jerry was born July 23, 1935, to Nels and Clara (Gran) Nelson and was raised in Winnebago Valley until his parents moved to Caledonia, where he attended Loretto High School and St. John the Baptist Church. He was one of six children: Lyle, Donald, Beverly, Merlin, and Robert. Jerry met his future bride, Elizabeth "Liz" Bice at Schilling Paper Company, their mutual place of employment, after which they were married May 1, 1976. > > Jerry was employed for a short time at Hector Construction Company, Caledonia and Trane Company of LaCrosse. He worked for over 30 years at Schilling Supply Company, of LaCrosse until his retirement in 2005. > > Jerry enlisted in the US Army in the Artillery and served a tour in Korea at the DMZ, returning for stateside duty as a Boot Camp Drill Instructor. > > Jerry and Liz enjoyed relaxing on their boathouse along the Mississippi River and at their log cabin in Allamakee County, IA, and spending winters in Arizona, as well as visiting with friends and neighbors. They also enjoyed trips to Mexico and Alaska. > > Jerry is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; a brother, Robert (Sharon Thilmany) Nelson; 2 sisters in law, Wilma (Mrs Donald) (Link) Nelson, Sheilah (Mrs Merlin) (Kumph) Nelson, and several nieces and nephews. > > He was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers, Lyle, Donald, and Merlin; 1 sister, Beverly Traufler-Welscher; 1 sister in law, Lois (Mrs. Lyle) (Burroughs) Nelson; 1 brother in law, Milton (Beverly) Welscher; 4 nephews, Michael, Steven, David and John; and a great niece, Leslie. > > A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am on Sat., Sept. 19, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Caledonia. Fr. Matt Fasnacht and Fr. James McCauley will concelebrate. Burial with military honors will be in Calvary Cemetery, Caledonia. Visitation will be from 4-7 pm Friday, at McCormick Funeral Home, 205 E. Main St., Caledonia, with a prayer service at 7 pm. Visitation will also be from 9:30-10:30 am, Sat. morning before the service at the church. > > The family would like to thank the caring staff on the 9th floor of Mayo Health and also the hospice nurses and doctors who took such good care of Jerry.

GERALD "JERRY" JOSEPH NELSON

July 23, 1935 - September 14, 2015