Barbara Jane Nelson

Barbara J. (Held) (Wheeler) Nelson passed away Monday, April 5, 2021, of natural causes. She was born to Valerius (Shorty) and Alnora (Schneider) Held on April 24, 1933. She graduated from Aquinas in 1951. In 1952, she married Raymond Wheeler and years later divorced. She married Marlowe Nelson in 1977. She worked for Trane Co., Western Union Telegraph, and Bethel Homes, Viroqua. She was a member of Eastern Star, was Grand Representative of Florida in Wisconsin, the first woman president of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Westby, was co-parade marshal with Marlowe—2007 Syttende Mai and chairwoman of the Princess committee, taught genealogy at the Vernon Co. Historical Society and served as treasurer, was Historical Society volunteer of the year 2012, chairwoman of La Crosse County cancer fund drive, and taught English to Hmong refugees. She loved to cook and bake (from scratch), knit and crochet and sewed many bridal gowns. She and Marlowe traveled to Salt Lake City numerous times for genealogy family research. She was a Bridge Club player and enjoyed numerous card games with family and friends. She also enjoyed reading and adult coloring and was also a Packer fan. She is survived by her daughter, Linda (Roger) Gunderson; her stepchildren: Amy (Stephen) Burnett, Guy (Gwen) Nelson, Anne Nelson, Eric (Julie) Nelson; brothers, Roger and Alan; sisters, Valerie Kromke and Rita Chandler; grandchildren: Sherry (Paul) Wertanen, Shannon (Mike) Dentice, Stephanie (John) Betz, Mari Hill, Katy Burnett, Evan (Kate) Nelson, Daniel (Rachel) Burnett, Peter Burnett, Reed MacKenzie; 10 great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; and her brother, Duane. Memorials can be made to Gundersen Medical Foundation, Our Saviors Lutheran Church—Westby, Westby or Viroqua Historical Society. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 5, 2021, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Westby. Visitation will be held Our Saviors Lutheran Church from Noon until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m. An Eastern Star service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Vosseteig Funeral Home in Westby. Vosseteig Funeral Home in Westby is serving Barb's family. 708 S. Main Street Westby, Wis. 54667 608-634-2100