Gerald Nelson

Gerald Leonard “Jerry” Nelson , age 76, of Oakland Twp., Burnett Co., WI, passed away Friday, May 20, 2016.   Gerald was born in Saint Paul, MN, on April 24, 1940, a son of the late Hjalmer and Edythe (Elmblad) Nelson.  He attended Chelsea Heights Elementary School, and was a 1958 graduate of Murray High School.    Jerry then attended and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business-Accounting.  He was employed as an accountant with Ecolab, Inc. retiring after thirty-three years of faithful service as the Comptroller.   On June 17, 1961, Jerry was united in marriage to Sharilyn Jean Lange at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Saint Paul.  They lived most of their lives in North Saint Paul and took time, whenever possible, to spend at their cabin on Johnson Lake.  In 1998, Jerry and Shari moved their permanent residence to their current home, and wintered in Chandler, AZ, at the Sunbird Golf Resort.   Jerry was an active member of Yellow Lake Lutheran Church in Oakland Twp, and had served on the church council as Treasurer.  He was also very involved with the Webster Lions Club helping at all their activities and fund raisers.  He also gave of his time cutting wood for the Interfaith Caregivers and flipping pancakes at the Forts Folle Avoine Historical Park.   Jerry was an avid golfer.  He was a member of, and served as secretary, of two men’s leagues: the Tuesday morning golf league at the Frederic Golf Course and the Thursday golf league at Fox Run Golf Course in Webster.  He also was a member of the couple’s golf league at Fox Run on Tuesday afternoon.   Jerry also enjoyed fishing, and for the past 48 years he would go fishing with the same group of old friends at Bowstring Lodge in Deer River, Minnesota.   He is preceded in death by his parents, Hjalmer and Edythe Nelson; a brother, Warren Nelson; a sister, Judy Nelson; and other relatives.   Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Shari; four daughters: Robyn (Andy) Esher, Wendy Nelson, Julie (Bryce) Lawrence, and Cindy (Steve) Love; eleven grandchildren: Sarah (Adam) Schmidt and Michelle Esher; Brandon and Nick Museus; Cameron, Ellen, Mallory, and Joshua Lawrence; and Wade, Wyatt, and Annabella Love.  He is also survived by a special cousin, Jean Musch, sister-in-law, Betty Nelson; as well as nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many friends.   A memorial service honoring the life of Jerry Nelson will be conducted at 1:00pm (visitation 12:00pm to 1:00pm), Thursday, May 26, 2016, at Yellow Lake Lutheran Church, with Pastor Danny G. Wheeler officiating.  A fellowship luncheon will follow the service.  Arrangements are entrusted with Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Webster, WI.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.swedberg-taylor.com .   In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to: Yellow Lake Lutheran Church, 7615 County Rd U, Danbury, WI, 54830; Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers of Burnett County, Inc., 7596 Hayden Lake Rd., Danbury, WI 54830; or United Hospital Foundation/Sharon K. Willbrandt Memorial Fund, 333 North Smith Ave., St Paul, MN 55102