Gerald D. "Jerry" Nelson

1924 - 2016

Nelson, Gerald D. "Jerry"

Gerald "Jerry" Nelson, 92, lifelong Two Rivers resident, went to be with Jesus on Wednesday afternoon, December 21, 2016 at Atrium Post Acute Care of Two Rivers. He was born September 12, 1924 in Two Rivers to Otto and Elsie (Schultz) Nelson, the third of five children born in just five years. He attended St. John's Lutheran Grade School and graduated from Washington High School with the class of 1942. Following graduation, he learned to be an electric welder and worked on submarines in Manitowoc. Jerry eagerly entered the US Army in May of 1943 and was always quietly proud of his service as a gunner in a M4-Sherman tank, across five countries in Europe, earning four campaign battle stars for his participation in the Battle of the Bulge, 40th Tank Battalion, 7th Armored Division. Following his honorable discharge from the military in 1946, he returned to Two Rivers and a few years later attended barber school under the GI Bill. In his later years, Jerry would share his war experiences in school classrooms, various speaking engagements and when acknowledged for his time in the service he'd say, "It was a small down payment of my youth for a lifetime of peace and prosperity."

On July 9, 1955, he married Dawn Burckle in Green Bay and they had two children, Jay and Susan. Jerry lived all of his life near the West Twin River and fished it for the better part of his life, mostly for northern pike, and always felt good when people asked, "Jerry, are the fish biting?" He always liked to say fishing is more than just a fish and he encouraged fathers to get their children's first little fish mounted, attach it to a piece of driftwood and hang it on their bedroom walls forever. Many followed his advice. Jerry's grandson's first fish was a small 7-inch bullhead and he had it mounted. Many a conversation centered on fishing, family life and friendly advice at his Southside Barbershop over the 47 years in which he owned and operated it.

In 1956, Jerry became secretary of the Two Rivers Central Trades Organization for several years and later became the last president of the Manitowoc County Barbers Union, which dissolved in 1963. He also joined the Two Rivers Fish and Game Club in 1952 and eventually became their secretary/treasurer for 37 years. Gerald also served as treasurer of the Manitowoc County Fish and Game Club for 18 years, earning a life membership award, enshrinement into the Manitowoc County Conservationist's Hall of Fame and receiving the Guido Rahr diamond pin for his longtime service. Throughout the years, he also served on various committees at St. John's Church, where he was a member for over 90 years; he also delivered Meals on Wheels. Jerry held longtime memberships in the Historical Society, Conservation Education, Inc., Lutheran Men's Club, 26 years with the Kiwanis Club of Two Rivers and served as a water monitor on the West Twin River for Woodland Dunes. He also enjoyed watering the flowers on Washington Street, playing weekly sheepshead card games, volunteering at the local St. Vincent store and being a weekly reading buddy at the Koenig Elementary School in Two Rivers.

Survivors are his wife of 61 years, Dawn Nelson, Two Rivers; their two children, Jay Nelson (Sherry Stout), Two Rivers; Susan (Kevin) Kubacki, Antigo; four grandchildren, Jean Nelson and special friend, Bob Aspach , Andrew Nelson, Rebecca and Marnie Kubacki; two great grandchildren, Ignatz and Bobbi Jean; one sister, Norma Lutzke, one sister-in-law, Marion "Mitzie" Nelson, all of Two Rivers; nieces and nephews who dearly loved their "Uncle Jer"; brother-in-law, Roger Zilles of Green Bay, and a sister-in-law, Mildred Burckle of Fond du Lac.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Jerome Nelson; two sisters, Anita Nelson and Flora Roos; two brothers-in-law, Preston Jones and Leroy Lutzke; and other in-laws: Art (Peggy) Helander, Edward Burckle, and Donna Zilles.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016 at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 17th and East Park Streets, Two Rivers. Rev. David Arndt will officiate at the service, with military graveside rites conducted by members of the VFW Post #1248 and American Legion Post #165 of Two Rivers immediately following the service at the church. Entombment will take place at Knollwood Chapel Mausoleum, Hwy. 310, Manitowoc. Friends may call at Deja & Martin Funeral Chapels, 1506 18th Street, Two Rivers, from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening, Dec. 27, 2016. Visitation will continue at the church Wednesday morning after 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.dejamartin.com.



As a 20 year-old Army corporal early in his combat during WWII, Jerry made a promise to his tank commander, Truman Luther Van Tine from Illinois, who lay dying in Jerry's arms and is buried in a military cemetery in Belgium, to "See you later, Van!" Jerry's promise is now fulfilled!