Nelson A. Ward

Nelson A. Ward, age 83, of Viroqua, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 21st, 2024, at the Vernon Memorial Hospital. He was born on October 12, 1940, in Readstown, WI where he was raised and spent his formative years. Upon graduating from Readstown High School in 1958, he enlisted in the Navy and proudly served his country aboard the USS Sheldrake. Following three years of dedicated service, Nelson returned to Wisconsin and pursued further education at Western Wisconsin Technical College. Not long after completing his business courses, Nelson was hired by Viroqua Federal Savings and Loan Association in 1963. In that same year, he married his high school sweetheart.

Nelson and Ruth Ann were married on June 8th, 1963, and a few years after they bought their forever home where they raised their two children. Nelson was widely known as one of the most honest and caring individuals anyone could meet. This reputation was further cemented in 1992, when he chose early retirement from his banking career to start his own business. As owner and President of Legal Guardianship Services, Inc., Nelson dedicated himself to caring for those who were unable to care for themselves.

Nelson will be remembered for his steadfast dedication to his wife, his two boys and later, his grandchildren. He had unending pride for his grandchildren and there was nothing he loved more than to travel to each and every event they participated in. A man of faith, Nelson rarely missed a Sunday service. He will be missed by many.

Nelson is survived by his beloved wife, Ruth Ann; their two sons, Darin (Kim) Ward of Viroqua and Trent (Michelle) Ward of California; his grandchildren: Peyton, Hunter, and Autumn Ward; his step-grandchildren, Victoria and Tyler Tran; sisters, Diane McClintock and Andrea (Carold) Fjelsted; brothers and sisters-in-law: Steven (Linda) Eide, Mike Whitfield, Jim Buros and Linda (Wangen) Ward.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin Sr. and Gudrun (Hereid) Ward; half-brother, John Ward; half-sister, Beverly (Ward) Parker; brother, Benjamin Ward Jr.; his father and mother-in-law, Thomas and Ann (Everson) Eide; brothers and sisters-in-law: Russ McClintock, Chester and Marlene (Eide) Ostrem, Larry and Donna (Eide) VanFleet, and Sonia (Eide) Whitfield.

A special thank you to the nursing staff at Vernon Memorial Hospital for showing their empathy for the family and the loving care of Nelson, making his final days as pain-free and peaceful as possible.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Vernon Memorial Hospital or Creamery Creek Assisted Living or planting a tree in Nelson’s memory.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, at Franklin Lutheran Church, rural Soldiers Grove. A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 24 at Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home in Viroqua. An additional visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Nelson will be laid to rest at the church cemetery with military honors.

Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home & Crematory in Viroqua is serving Nelson's family.

123 W. Decker Street

Viroqua, WI 54665

(608) 637-2100