Joseph F. Nelson, age 90, passed away on Monday, December 18, 2023, at the Hospice House in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.

Joseph was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin on May 28, 1933 to the late William and Cecelia (Kirschbaum) Nelson. He was educated in the schools of Kenosha. He served in the United States Navy from June 1952 until June 1956. He attained the rank of Engineman 3^rd Class.

He began his career at American Motors Corporation in February 1959 as a set-up person in Department 811. He worked for thirty-seven (37) years before retiring in February 1996. Joseph also worked as a carpenter for several building contractors in Kenosha for over twenty (20) years.

He was married to the former Mary Frances Deignan at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Kenosha, Wisconsin on July 26, 1958. They celebrated their 65^th wedding anniversary in July of 2023.

He was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He was also a member of Local 72 and Carpenters Local 161.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and traveling. He took pride in taking care of his yard. He was an avid walker, a Green Bay Packer, Milwaukee Bucks and Milwaukee Brewers fan. He also enjoyed having breakfast with his friends at The Gateway Café. He also enjoyed watching different projects going on around Kenosha and Kenosha County. His greatest joy was spending time with his family. He also enjoyed his daughter Janet’s dog, Bailey, who is a yorkie-poodle that weighs only five pounds. His favorite TV shows were Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, Smithsonian Channel plus the History Channel, Travel Channel and many game shows. He and his wife enjoyed winters in Ft. Meyers. Florida for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; one son, Michael (Kelly) of Raleigh, North Carolina; two daughters, Janet (Michael) Pearson and Carolyn (Kenneth) Thomas both of Kenosha; three grandchildren, Cassandra Kuehn of Kenosha, WI, Alyssa (Casey) McLean of Newport, Maine and Ryan Thomas of Kenosha, WI; two great grandchildren, Lily and Noah of Newport, Maine. He is also survived by one sister, Joan “Patsy” (Jeff) Lester of Kenosha, WI and several nieces, nephews, great nephews and great nieces.

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, John Nelson and Thomas Nelson; one sister, Joyce DeBruin; two nephews, William and Terry Nelson; one niece Bonnie Dimmer; his brother-in-law, Robert DeBruin and sisters-in-law, Nita Nelson and Betty Nelson.

Service Info

A visitation for Joseph will be held on Saturday, December 23, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the Piasecki Funeral Home, 3720 39th Ave, Kenosha, WI.

Funeral services honoring Joseph’s life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 23, 2023 at the funeral home.

Entombment with full Military Honors will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 in All Saints Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances to Hospice Alliance Inc, 10220 Prairie Ridge Blvd, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158 https://www.hospicealliance.org or to a charity of your choice would be appreciated.