Donna Nelson

Donna K. Nelson, age 76, of Wilson, WI, passed away unexpectedly on June 13, 2023, surrounded by her children and loving family at Western Wisconsin Health in Baldwin, WI

Donna was born on October 31, 1946 in St Paul, MN to Donald and Doris (Jacobson) Grinnell. After graduating from St. Croix Central High School in 1964, she married the boy next door, Robert “Bob” Nelson, on September 20, 1969. In 1973, they welcomed their first child, Mandy and then in 1975 Matt came along.  In 1977, they moved to Pell City, AL, and it was there that they welcomed their third child, Jeff, in 1981. As a family, they lived in Alabama until Bob was transferred back to Wisconsin in 1986, where they made their home in Wilson.

Donna began her career at Northern Pacific Railway in St. Paul, MN. She was then a stay at home mom until the kids were in high school. She worked at the BP on the Woodville exit for a few years, then at Police Collectors News with Mike and Paula Bondarenko as an Administrative Assistant until her retirement 31 years later. She served on the Baldwin –Woodville School board for many years while her three children were in school, and proudly handed all three of them their graduation diplomas. She cherished time spent watching her grandchildren play ball and using their help in collecting her beloved tootsie rolls at parades. She was an avid bowler and baker (especially her famous chocolate cake), and loved feeding the birds. She also loved watching all the Packer games with Bob.

They were big fans! Donna was an outgoing, social butterfly, always finding a face that she knew in the community wherever she went.

She is survived by her children: Mandy Holmberg and her children Dan, Jess, Cody, and Alicia, Matt (Amy) Nelson and their children Brett and Morgan; and Jeff (Chauntel) Nelson and their children Allie and Owen; sister, Lynn (Mick) Vanda; 3 siblings-in-law: Barb (Larry) Kohl, Sandy (Jon) Veenendaal, and Randy (Kathy) Nelson; along with many nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Robert; and son-in-law, Tim Holmberg.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be from 3:00-5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at Peace Lutheran Church, 2084 County Rd. N, Baldwin, followed by a Memorial Service at 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family. The service will be livestreamed HERE .

O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Baldwin, WI. (715) 684-3434. www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com