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Obituary: Donna M. Nelson

Donna M. Nelson, 81, of Ellison Bay, died at Scandia Village in Sister Bay on Dec. 21, 2016. Born July 14, 1935, to Ellsworth and Adeline Sherman, Donna grew up in North Fond du Lac, WI, graduating from North Fond du Lac High School in 1954. She attended UW-Oshkosh from 1954-1956 where she met her husband, LeRoy Gordon Nelson (Gordy). They were married July 6, 1957. The two of them took over the Nelson dairy farm where they raised their three children and enjoyed many years together.

 Donna was a member of Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church of Ellison Bay, and  was an active member of the Ladies Aid group there. She enjoyed many seasons of sewing quilts with the church ladies.  Donna also served many years on the Liberty Grove Election Board, handing out and counting ballots.

Donna never could sit still for long. She was always busy tending to her flower and vegetable gardens in the summer and during the winter months she occupied herself with many art and craft projects. She especially loved to write letters, and as she prepared for Christmas, she most enjoyed writing notes in the many dozens of Christmas cards she would send.
Donna wasn’t just a wonderful wife to her husband Gordy, but she was also a dedicated mom and grandma and a delightful friend and hostess to all who knew her. She enjoyed entertaining most of all. She was known for her hospitality and quick wit. When she was serving a meal, pouring coffee or doling out cookies, she always had a good joke or a funny story to serve up as well.
 Donna is survived by her husband Gordy, two sons, Jim Nelson, Madison and Scott (Dawn) Nelson, Suamico, and a  daughter Karen (Jim) Sporrer, Menominee, MI and Ellison Bay. She is further survived  by her grandchildren, Johnny Nelson, Milwaukee, Mollie Nelson, DePere, Matthew Nelson, Appleton, Nathan and Kiersten Nelson, Suamico, and Kimberly (Scott) Frederiksen, Marinette, and Kyle Hurkmans, Menominee, MI., and two great grandchildren, Sariah and Faith Frederiksen, Marinette.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents Ellsworth and Adeline, her step mother Helen, and her brother Charles Galauner.
A memorial service with be held at Shepherd of the Bay Church in Ellison Bay on Saturday, January 7, 2017, at 11:00 am. There will be a luncheon and time for fellowship following the service.
In lieu of flowers,  memorials can be made to Shepherd of the Bay Church, Ellison Bay, or to Good Samaritan Society Scandia Village of Sister Bay.

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