Jean M Nelson
Jean M. Nelson, age 69 of Durand, died July 6, 2012 surrounded by her loving family after a long courageous battle with cancer.
Jean was born on May 5, 1943 in Durand. She was the daughter of Martin and Alice (Early) Pittman. Jean grew up in Durand and attended St. Mary's Elementary School and graduated from Lima High School in 1961. After high school, Jean continued her studies at Viterbo University in LaCrosse and earned a degree in elementary education.
Jean married Edward W. Nelson on June 19, 1965 at ST. Mary's Parish in Durand. After marriage, Ed and Jean moved to McHenry, IL, where they lived and started their careers. After teaching for only one year, Jean and Ed started their family. After five years, they decided to move back to Durand with their two children to be closer to family. Jean continued being a full-time mother and homemaker for several years.
After the birth of their youngest child, Jean returned to her teaching career that she loved. She taught at Grandview Rock Falls School for 15 years and finished her 22 year career at Caddie Woodlawn School in Durand in 2001. Jean enjoyed teaching the lower grades and helping the children with their first experiences and accomplishments in reading and math. After retiring, Ed and Jean were able to enjoy traveling during the winter months. As much as she did enjoy the times they were able to do this, her heart ached for her children and grandchildren back in Wisconsin and was excited to return home.
Jean devoted her life to others. She took great pride in her children and later her 12 grandchildren. Jean dedicated her time to making a wonderful home for the entire family supporting them in sporting events, school activities and everyday moments, all the while imparting her loving, caring, "do your best" positive outlook with whatever she was doing. Her infectionous smile, love of life and "can do" attitude is what helped her battle her disease for the many years as she did with never a complaint and always worrying about everyone else.
When Jean wasn’t working with children, she enjoyed spending time camping, biking, sewing, playing games, sitting around campfires and sampling Ed's homemade wine with family and friends.
Jean is survived by her husband of 47 years, Ed, five children; Bob (Angie Hjerlied) of Eau Claire, Lori (John) Vetterkind of Strum, Amy (Matthew) Schutz of Glenwood City, Steve (Nikki Lorentz) of Eau Claire and Tricia (Scott) Slaby of Mondovi, 12 grandchildren, her mother; Alice Pittman of Durand, one brother; Don (Norma) Pittman of Durand, one sister; Kathy Pittman of Harlingin, TX, other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her father, Martin Pittman.