Obituary: Joseph O. Nelson

Joseph O. Nelson, 97, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away at Ministry Door County Medical Center on Dec. 2, 2015.  He was born Oct. 18, 1918 to Lewis and Molly (Krause) Nelson.  On March 30, 1942 he married Carol Hanson in St. Louis, MO; she died Nov. 14, 1992.

Joseph served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II.  He was an avid fisherman, woodcarver, and gardener.  He worked as a salesman at Door County Hardware for many years and was a member of St. Joseph Church.

Survivors include two daughters, Judy (John) Ellenbecker, Sturgeon Bay and Susan Drews, Appleton; four grandchildren:  Michael (Karen) Ellenbecker, Joseph (Lilly) Ellenbecker, Andrew (Jennifer) Ellenbecker, and Nicole Smart; five great-grandaughters: Katie, Hannah, Emma, Brooklyn, Madison; one great-grandson Matthew.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, three brothers, grandson David Ellenbecker, and two infant sons.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, Dec. 7, 2015, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sturgeon Bay. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.   Friends may call on Sunday from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Forbes Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay.  A prayer service is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.