Obit: Nelson, Lorna Ann (1933 - 2016)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Becker, Erickson, Hawkins, Hora, Johnson, Kestler, Knapp, Nelson, Swenson, Vasicek

----Source: The Heindl Funeral Home (Prentiss, WI) 8/04/2016

Nelson, Lorna Ann ( Erickson) (24 NOV 1933 - 31 JUL 2016)

Lorna Ann ( Erickson) Nelson, 82, passed away on Sunday, July 31, 2016, at the Deerview Meadows Assisted Living in Medford. She was lovingly cared for by Audrey and her staff, Hope Hospice of Medford, and her family.

She was born on November 24, 1933, to George and Hannah (Johnson) Erickson in Kennan, WI, and was a 1951 Salutatorian graduate of Phillips High School. Lorna attended college at UW Whitewater where she received her teaching degree in 1955. She carried a major in Business Education and a double minor in English and Physical Education.

Lorna married William “Bill” Nelson on June 25, 1955, and they had one child, Jeffrey. Bill preceded her in death in 1956. She then married Louis “Jim” Nelson on June 4, 1966. They had three more children, Jamie, Joe, and Kristen. Jim preceded her in death in 1991.

Lorna began her teaching career in Hawkins, WI, until its closing, then went on to the Ladysmith, WI, school district. She and Jim moved to Prentice in 1969 and Lorna began teaching in the Prentice School District. She remained there until her semi-retirement in 1998. Then her career as a substitute teacher began. She taught in every department and grade they needed her for. When she needed to drive the two blocks to get to school, she decided she might be getting a little old to keep up with all the kids. That was in 2008 at the age of 76.

In her free time, she enjoyed making “Grandma” blankets out of family member’s old clothes, burlap purses, and embroidered prayer wall hangings. All of her grandchildren have a special blanket and wall hanging. Her great nieces and nephews also will cherish these gifts made with love for her family.

She is survived by her children: Jeff (Donna) of Hawkins, Jamie (Kevin) Hawkins, of Ogema, Joe, Prentice, and Kristen Swenson of Minneapolis, Minn., by 8 grandchildren: Shawnda (Doug) Hora, Jessica Kestler, Cody (Ashley) Hawkins, Tyler (Kaylee) Hawkins, Dalton Hawkins, Payton Hawkins, Logan Nelson, and Sonny Nelson. And by 8 great grandchildren; Jacob (Tonisha) Hora, Carli Hora, Shayne Nelson, Javon Kestler, Kylie Vasicek, Emma and Brayden Hawkins, and Paxton Hawkins, by 1 sister-in-law Doris Erickson and many nieces and nephews.

Lorna was preceded in death by her parents, by her husband’s William “Bill” and Louis “Jim” Nelson, by one sister Eunice Knapp, her brother-in-law Bill Knapp, and by three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Iver and Rose Marie Erickson, Arnold Erickson, and Al and Nancy Erickson.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, August 5, 2016, at the Bethel Lutheran Church, Hawkins with Rev. Jody Becker officiating. Friends may call after 10:00 A.M. on Friday at the church until the time of the service Inurnment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery, Hawkins. Friends may call on Thursday, August 4, 2016 after 5:00 P.M. at the Heindl Funeral Home in Prentice.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.heindlfuneralhome.com.