Obituary of James G. Nelson

James G. Nelson, 71, Wisconsin Rapids, died early Tuesday morning, May 27, 2014 at Renaissance Assisted Living in Wisconsin Rapids. Services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, May 30th at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home and Cremation Center. Pastor Dan DeRoche will officiate. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. on Thursday and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services on Friday at the funeral home. Jim was born in Marshfield, WI on August 4, 1942 to Martin and Laura (Schultz) Nelson and was raised on the family farm. He married his high school sweetheart, Sandra Knutson on April 18, 1960 in Hewitt, WI. She died on April 14, 2000. Jim worked for 5 ½ years as a blade coater operator for Consolidated Papers, Inc. until he pursued his career as a firefighter in 1967 for the Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department. He was eventually promoted to assistant chief and remained in this position until his retirement in 1998 after 31 years of service. He also worked as a handyman and construction worker during those years. Jim enjoyed going to the Edgar and Baraboo flea markets and steam shows, snowmobiling with Sandy, and was a fan of Lincoln High School wrestling. He especially enjoyed attending the Rochester and State tournaments. Jim also enjoyed golfing, but quit once he got his hole-in-one. He also loved making chili and pancakes. Survivors include his children: Brenda Nelson (Tom Burns), Wisconsin Rapids; Cheryl Marshall (John Garrett), Chesapeke, VA; Brian (Misty) Nelson, Wisconsin Rapids, WI; grandchildren: Danielle Nelson, Nathan Marshall, Marcus Marshall, Jacob Marshall, Jasmine Marshall, Jeremy Nelson, Nicholas Nelson, Emily Nelson; 4 great-grandchildren; siblings: Eleanor Panske, Melvin (Rosey) Nelson, Percy (Pat) Nelson; and sister-in-law: Ramona (Donald) Fait. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and siblings: Raymond Nelson, Lillian Engelbright, and Charles Nelson.