Jean Nelson

Jean C. Nelson left her earthly home and entered her Heavenly home to join loved ones on December 19, 2020. Her passing reflected her life of being gentle, strong, and brave. Jean was born on September 16, 1936 in Iowa County to the Lyle and Della (Peterson) Hunter. She enjoyed a rural life on the farm in Wyoming Valley near Dodgeville, WI, where she talked of riding her pony, driving the tractor, going to a one room schoolhouse, and swimming in the creek with cousins. She married the love of her life, William (Bill) C. Nelson on November 21, 1952. Together they worked, loved, had fun, and raised two daughters, Marcia and Debbie Jo. Jean was so dedicated to her family and rejoiced in becoming a grandma to Garrett and Meghan. This past May, another joy came in her life in the form of a great grandson, Tristan. Along with love for her family, she loved gardening, crafting, and traveling! She loved exploring new places but her favorite place was in the mountains. The past 15 years, she spent a lot of time in the Jackson Hole, WY area with family. She loved the trips to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks viewing the wildlife and the surrounding beauty of those areas. Jean and Bill traveled to Mexico several times, to Hawaii, to Alaska, and to most of the states in the lower 48. When their family was young, they all went camping and traveling to many regions of the USA. Jean loved her job working in the library at East High School for many years and developed many good friendships while doing that. She loved animals and passed that love to her family providing the following pets - a pony, horses, dogs, cats, and chickens. Jean and Bill were members of a square dancing club and spent many years dancing and traveling around the state as well as to Peaceful Valley in Colorado. These Colorado trips were highlights  and many memories were made with good friends. Jean’s sense of humor and positive, loving spirit will be missed by all who knew her and loved her.

Jean is survived by her daughters, Marcia (Jim) Motelet and Debbie Nelson; grandchildren, Garrett Motelet and Meghan (Paul) Mueller; great grandson, Tristan Mueller; and step great grandson, Brody Mueller.  She is further survived by sisters, Lois Phillips and Mary (Kurt Kapfhamer) Halverson, and nieces and nephews.

Jean is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, special cousin, Bill Treweek,and special nephew, Tom Halverson.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff  at the BrightStar Senior Living in Waunakee and to the nurses at Agrace HospiceCare.

A celebration of Jean’s life will be held once it is safe for us to be together again.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude or Yellowstone Forever.

Winn-Cress Funeral Home

5785 Hwy Q

Waunakee, WI