Theodore Nelson

Theodore William “Theo” Nelson, 75, Hertel, WI, passed away Sunday, April 12, 2015. Theo was born in Spooner, WI, on July 9, 1939, a son of the late Leonard S. and Myrtle (Taylor) Nelson. He was educated in local public schools and was a 1957 graduate of Luck High School. He attended college classes in Superior, WI and Pendleton, OR. Theodore was inducted into the U.S. Air Force on May 28, 1957. He was primarily assigned to the 4631st Support Squadron ADC, and was honorably discharged on May 26, 1961. Theo was a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. He worked in various positions, including Youth Coordinator, for the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin at the Hertel location. He was a founding member of AMVETS post 1993 in Hertel, and was co-founder of the Wild Rice Pow-Wow held annually in Danbury, WI. Theodore enjoyed hunting and fishing, bowling, and playing softball; and when he couldn’t play any longer, he became a softball coach. He also loved playing cards at Papa Johns in Hertel on Saturday evenings. Theo was a loving and caring person. He was very amiable and had a great sense of humor. He loved socializing and making new friends. Preceding him in death are his parents, Leonard and Myrtle Nelson; a grandson, Aaron Wayne Madison; two brothers: Ronald Nelson and Kenneth Nelson; and a sister, Nancy Smith. Theo is survived by his four children: Kathleen Joann (Paul) Knoop, Theodore William Nelson, Jr., Jeffery Allen Nelson, and Theresa Myrtle Nelson; five grandchildren: Jolene Mau (Bert Barnes), Breanna Madison (Luke Scheffel), Michael Madison (Shelly Belgarde), Thomas Lee Nelson, and Trey Allen Nelson; six great-grandchildren: Braeden, Ariene, Camran, Ava, Mia, and Alyah; and a great-grandson who is due June 1st. Also surviving are two brothers: Leroy (Janet) Nelson and Robert (Sharon) Nelson; sister-in-law, Sharon Nelson (wife of Ronald); brother-in-law, Raymond Smith; his former wife, Darlene (nee: Cairns) Butler; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family of Theodore William “Theo” Nelson received relatives and friends at the St. Croix Tribal Center, State Route 70, Hertel, WI on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 after 4:00 pm. The funeral service was conducted at the tribal center at 10:00 am, Wednesday, April 15 th , with Francis Songetay officiating and Michael Taylor assisting.   Burial with full military honors was held at Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Spooner, WI. Pallbearers were: Don Taylor, Frank Taylor, Thomas Nelson, Trey Nelson, Mike Madison, Dustin Reynolds, Troy Nelson, and Leroy “Max” Nelson, Jr. Arrangements have been entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, WI. Online condolences may be expressed at www.swedberg-taylor.com.