Elaine Ruth (Zeddies) Nelson, a lifelong resident of Manitowoc, passed away on Friday, September 27, 2024 at the age of 91.
Elaine was born on January 25, 1933, the daughter of the late Erving & Lydia (Weyhausen) Zeddies. She was a Class of 1952 graduate of Lincoln High School, and married John Alan Nelson on August 7, 1952; he preceded her in death on December 27, 2007.
Elaine was a homemaker for most of her adult life; a gifted quilter who taught classes at the local technical college for a number of years, as well as a member of several quilting organizations and guilds. She was also an accomplished woodcarver and gardener. Elaine and her husband John created beautiful garden spaces during the course of their marriage and planted a living woods on their property. Upon John’s retirement from the Sheriff’s Department in 1984, they were employed as Joint Custodians at the First Presbyterian Church in Manitowoc for 13 years.
Survivors include Elaine’s three children, Laura (Dennis) Kempfert of Sun Prairie, Kathleen (Lee) Bernardo of Ashland, and Michael Nelson of Manitowoc; five grandchildren: Mark Kempfert, Rebecca (Casey) Balczewski, Cody (Jaime) Bernardo, Rachel (Joseph) Landowski and Casey (Bleu) Bernardo; five great grandchildren: Elias Landowski, Daphne Bernardo, Cooper Bernardo, Jace Balczewski & Mason Balczewski; two sisters, LaVerne (William) Mueller and Dolores Janda; also other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Erving and Lydia Zeddies; husband, John; sister, Carol (Charles) Monka; brother-in-law, Donald Janda; sister-in-law, Betty (Robert) Stephani; other relatives and friends.
Memorial services led by Lisa Novachek will be held at Noon on Sunday, October 13, 2024 at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home. A luncheon for family and friends will immediately follow at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center located on the south property of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home. Cremation has taken place at the Harrigan Parkside Crematory and Chapel. The family will greet relatives and friends at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home on Sunday, October 13, 2024 from 10 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at Noon. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials in Elaine’s name.
Elaine’s family would like to extend their sincerest thanks to the staffs of Aurora Clinics Manitowoc-Two Rivers, Aurora Baycare Clinic, Aurora Urgent Care, At Home Nurse, and Aurora Hospice & Froedtert-Holy Family Hospital. Also, special thanks to the friends and family who provided continuous care and support to Elaine and to her family members.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
