Cecilia Nelis

Cecilia Nelis, 97, passed away quietly in her sleep January 15, 2015 at Silverado Assisted Living in Houston, Texas. Cecilia was born in Halbur, Iowa April 18, 1918, the first daughter of Theodore and Margaret Potthoff, and one of 9 children.
Cecilia ("Ceil") met the love of her live, Jack Nelis of Vail, Iowa, at a small-town dance near Halbur. During World War II, Cecilia worked at Lockheed in California, but she and Jack kept up the romance with correspondence and visits, when Jack could get leave from the Army Air Corp. Jack and Cecilia were married after the war on Dec. 27, 1947. They started their life together in Rockford Ill., and then moved to Madison, WI where they lived over a bakery shop. They saved enough to buy their first home one block off the campus of UW. The huge house on Lathrop St. required many improvements, but Jack and Ceil were able to continuously remodel and improve their house, until, by the 1990s, their stately home was featured in historical tours of University Heights. The home became a center for Cecilia's calm personality and gracious hospitality. Cecilia and Jack adopted Mary in 1957 and Brian in 1969. Cecilia and Jack opened their home to nephews, UW graduate students, foster children, and families of UW hospital patients, many of whom became long-lasting friends. Ceil and Jack became friends to students and visiting professors from around the world. Badger Football car-parking was an annual event that also led to many fond friendships over the years.
Cecilia served Blessed Sacrament Church and School for many years as a member of the Rosary Altar Society. She loved sewing, gardening, flowers and vegetables, and was a wonderful cook; Cecilia was especially famous across the family for her outstanding pies.
Cecilia was preceded in death by husband Jack, her parents, and by her brothers' Alvin, Roman, Orlando, Ted, Maurice, and Jerry. She is survived by her sisters Margaret and Ann (Phoenix, Arizona), daughter Mary Nelis DeMis and son-in-law Bill DeMis (Houston, Texas), son Brian Nelis (Madison, Wisconsin), grandchildren John DeMis, Eleanor DeMis, and Johnny Nelis and numerous nieces, nephews, and godchildren.
Ceil will be missed by all who knew her gracious and welcoming personality. Cecilia Nelis was the best mother a daughter could have asked for.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church, in Madison, Wisconsin at 11:00 am on Thursday, February 18th, with Visitation at 10:00 a.m.. A lunch will be held in the Blessed Sacrament Friary. Burial will take place at Resurrection Cemetery. Donations to Catholic Charities of Madison (adoption agency) can be made in her honor, in lieu of flowers. http://catholiccharitiesofmadison.org

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Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
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