Adonna L. Nelson

Adonna L. Nelson was born August 24,1940 in Mackville, KY and died September 29, 2024 in Sun Prairie, WI. Adonna passed away peacefully surrounded by family.

Adonna grew up on a small farm outside Jeffersonville, IN with her parents James Russell Robinson and Flossie Mae Skeans Robinson, four brothers Shelby B., James R., William O. and Robert G, and sister Sue Bricken. As the eldest sister she took care of her siblings much like a mother.

Adonna began working at a Woolworths store in Jeffersonville, IN. This is where she caught the eye of Gary. It wasn’t long before the two of them started dating and was the beginning of their almost 65 year marriage together. Gary and Adonna were married October 29, 1959. They adopted their first son, Brian, in 1968, and adopted their second son, Kevin, six years later in 1975. This growing family spent its early years in Brainerd, MN and Fergus Falls, MN where many lifelong friendships began.

In 1984 Adonna and Gary moved the family to Sun Prairie, WI, opening a Ben Franklin variety store, which they operated together for over 20 years. This is where Adonna learned the craft of custom framing. After Gary retired, Adonna opened Dimensions Gallery & Framing with her son Kevin, which they operated together for 8 years. After Adonna retired she enjoyed donating her time at the Sun Prairie Public Library.

Adonna liked to stay active. She was an avid reader, enjoyed trying out new recipes, and loved playing games like Scrabble and Bridge. Traveling and having new experiences was one of many joys in life. Adonna and Gary were fortunate to enjoy cruises together, which included destinations like Alaska and Hawaii. Adonna was also a fighter and a survivor. In 2012 Adonna was fortunate enough to receive a kidney transplant, and thanks to a generous and anonymous donor, she was able to enjoy life for over a decade longer. She was forever incredibly thankful for that life-saving gift. Adonna will be remembered most for her beautiful smile, her infectious laugh, her thoughtful generosity, her sharp wit, and her uncanny ability to always win at games. She was an amazing wife and the best mother her son’s could have ever asked for.

Adonna is survived by her loving husband Gary, sons Brian (Jill) and Kevin (Rebekah), sister Sue (Gary), four grandchildren Isaac, Joshua, Rowan, and Nova, brothers-in-law David and Dale, and sister-in-law Janet, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be from 10-12:00 PM on Monday, October 7, 2024 at Cress Funeral Home SUN PRAIRIE with a memorial service to begin at 12:00 PM (noon).  Adonna will be brought to her final place of rest at Sun Prairie Memory Gardens immediately following the services.

If you are not able to join us in person, please register at the following link to view the service: https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=26553920-56d5-4b8a-99bd-e0013fdbc0c5

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund to support the National Kidney Fund and the American Diabetic Association has been set up in her name at Cress Funeral Home, 1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie, WI 53590.

Cress Funeral Service

1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie, WI 53590

608-837-9054