Marian Bayer Nelson

Marian Bayer Nelson, age 88, formerly of Wausau , passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 8, 2010 at Hospice Care in Fitchburg Wisconsin surrounded by her loving family.

She was born Marianne Sofie Bayer on July 1, 1921 in Oberammergau, Germany to Anna and Michael Bayer, and immigrated to the United States with her family in 1926, settling in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Marian was a 1939 graduate of Aquinas High School, La Crosse . In 1942, she married Harry C. Nelson and moved to Wausau, where she lived until 2007.

Marian is survived by three children; Ann-Marie Winecke, Stoughton,

Thomas A. Nelson, Appleton, and Karl M. (Jeanne) Nelson, Dallas, TX; 8 grandchildren: Krista Nelson King, Arkansas; Jeremy (Sondra) Nelson, Alaska; Linda (Luke) Fletcher, Texas; Patrick Nelson, Appleton; April Winecke, New York State; Emily Winecke, Madison; Laura Nelson, Arkansas, and John Nelson of Texas. She leaves 5 great-grandchildren: Parker and Connor King, Arkansas ; Joshua and Sean Fletcher, Texas and Runa Nelson of Alaska.

She is further survived by her daughter-in-law Joyce Nelson, Eagle River, and her nieces and nephews: Jane Bayer Renly, Michael Bayer, Kitty Maxwell, Barbara Bayer, Kristine Hemp and Fredrick Bayer.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brother, Fredrick J. Bayer as well as her son-in-law Gerald ""Jerry"" Winecke, and step-son Gilbert Guile Nelson.

Marian instilled in her children and grandchildren a love for reading especially poetry. A voracious reader of books, she enjoyed writing poetry and journaling throughout all her life. Her literary talent showed itself early when she wrote an award-winning play in high school, a talent that has been passed onto several of her grandchildren.

Other hobbies included bird-watching, tending her house plants, and keeping up her written correspondence with numerous childhood friends and relatives, some for almost 80 years.

She was employed as a nursing assistant at the old Memorial/ Wausau Hospital for nearly 30 years providing tender compassionate care to many.

Marian and Harry were animal lovers, raising and nurturing numerous pets over the years, most notably Mitty the cat, Joe the crow, and Angie the dog.

Over the years, Marian frequently delighted her children and grandchildren with both real and imaginary stories of her life in Germany and her youth in La Crosse . She is also remembered with great fondness for her beautiful singing, her love of opera and her ever present cheerful whistling.

A wonderful cook, she cleverly improvised delicious, nutritious meals on a limited budget for her husband and four growing children.

A funeral mass is scheduled for 11:00 AM Monday, March 15, 2010 at the Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, located at 621 Second Street in Wausau, followed by interment services at Pine Grove Cemetery and a luncheon back at the church. Father Gregory Michaud will be the celebrant. Visitation will begin at the church at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made in Marian's name to the Marathon County Humane Society or another charity of the donor's choice.

Marian was known by all for her kind and generous heart, making friends wherever she was. A warm and loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, aunt, and friend to many, she will be dearly missed.