Fern Yvonne Nelson, aged 96, of Waupaca, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2024.

Born on May 9, 1927, in Waupaca, she was a pillar of strength, independence, and cherished memories with her family, especially her 5 sons.

Fern is survived by her sons: Todd (Sharon) Nelson, Waupaca, WI, Tom (Diane) Nelson, Shingle Springs, CA.

Daughters-in-law: Cathy (Dan) Nelson, Chico, CA, Michele (Paul) Nelson New Bern, NC and Katherine (Kip) Nelson West Bend, WI.

Sister: Mary (Luft) Ring, Appleton, WI

Brother: Steve (Pat) Luft, Sun City, AZ

Grandchildren: Erin Nelson, Seth Nelson, Tammy Nelson, Holly Nelson-Birkedal, Andrew Nelson, Michael Nelson, Joe Nelson, Bryna Caves, Jon Nelson, Emily Weisberg, Nora Nelson-Hartzell, Jon Fain, Ashley Lampley

Great-grandchildren: Gabriella George, Inga Nelson, Charlie Nelson, James Nelson, Catherine Nelson-Smith, Gavin Birkedal, Kolten Birkedal, Nora Nelson, Zoeey Nelson, Abrahm Futch, Leland Futch, Nathan Eddins, Cassidy Nelson, Liam Caves, Kian Caves, Tzofiah Weisberg, Oriel Weisberg, Yarah Weisberg, Lewis Hartzell, Maren Hartzell, Beckham Fain, Damian, and Emily Lampley.

She also leaves behind numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, and most everyone around Waupaca with the last name of Johnson.

She left a legacy of friendship throughout Waupaca Wisconsin and later Sarasota Florida where she and her husband, L.E. “Wormy” Nelson, moved in the late 1970’s. Fern thereafter became known as “Grandma Florida” to her grandchildren. Fern remained in Sarasota for forty years.

Fern was predeceased by her parents: George and Bertha (Johnson) Luft.

Husband: L.E. (Wormy) Nelson.

Sons: Daniel, Paul and Kip Nelson

Sisters: Elizabeth (Luft) Miller, Betty (Luft) LaBar, and brother David Luft;

As well as dear Florida friends: Al Pajonas, David Kaplan, and Ed Stein.

A pioneer in her family, Fern grew up on a small farm near Ogdensburg WI. She was the number 1 student in her class grades 1st - 8th at Ware Road elementary school where she was also the only student in her class. Fern was a diligent student being the first of her family to attend and graduate high school but it wasn’t easy. She worked as a domestic and lived with a family in Waupaca in exchange for room and board and the ability to attend classes graduating in 1945. Fern valued education, hard work and good manners, traits that were evident throughout her life. Fern was a very beautiful and classy lady, elegant, always happy, always smiling. She lived by the motto: If you can’t say anything good about anyone then don’t say anything at all..

Fern and her husband L.E. (Wormy) owned and operated Edmunds Boat Line in King WI (currently Clearwater Harbor) in 1950’s & 60’s She also worked at the Sears Catalog store in Waupaca and as head teller at King Bank. Fern also enjoyed her time in Florida working and spending time at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center in Sarasota.

An avid reader and writer, Fern's passion for words was evident in her heartfelt correspondence, often adorned on newspaper and magazine clippings in her neat penmanship in the margins and borders. She also enjoyed interviewing and writing about senior residents at the Jefferson Center in Sarasota.

A celebration of Fern's life will be held later this summer, providing an opportunity for friends and family to gather in remembrance of a life well-lived. She’s going to be missed by many.

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