Jerome Nelson

Jerome Nelson

We remember the life and legacy of a remarkable individual, a true cowboy who has left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those fortunate enough to have known Him. It is with heavy hearts that we bid farewell to Jerry whose adventurous spirit, superb story telling whether they were true or 100 percent fiction, unwavering determination, and love for his family will be felt and remembered in all our hearts forever.

Our beloved cowboy grew up amidst the cold temps and Norwegians, one himself, in Upper Northern Minnesota in the small town of Coleraine. He spent countless hours in the field with a team of horses on his grandparents' farm Norman and Ella Nelson. His dad bought and sold horses and from a young age Jerry was given the task of training them for driving or riding. Jerry and his good friend John Ritter climbed on countless broncs for Howard Pitzen-North Star Rodeo in Effie, MN. After graduating from Geenway High School in 1960 Jerry spent a short time at North Dakota State University with the intent to play football. He decided he wanted to make his fortune instead, entered the union as a masonry/brick layer, and moved to Chicago.

He met the love of his life, Marge, in Chicago and decided a Norwegian and fiery Italian with a hint of Irish would be the perfect pair and they bonded in marriage on May 26th, 1962. They agreed it would be best to move halfway between in-laws in 1967, so they packed up their things and their first two children Guy and Bryce. They bought the Seymour farm in 1971 and found themselves settled in the small area of Retreat where they welcomed their girl, Marcey. Once settled in Wisconsin Jerry continued brick laying for some time and also started farming along side his two sons as they grew up. The love for horses never died. He bred, raised, and trained Paints and Quarter Horses. Both Marge and Jerry took pride in the horses they raised. Through his illustrious life, his equine business name in Western Pleasure became synonymous with excellence throughout Wisconsin and surrounding states. He fearlessly tamed the wildest of them with the help of Marge and Marcey, rode hard each time no matter what and gained the trust of every shaken souled horse and human alike. Marcey, Marge, and Jerry put many miles on the ol' Ford traveling to shows over the years.

Farming came to an end in the early 90s and he found himself with his dream job until the day he retired at Rush Creek Ranch. With a lasso in hand, only if needed HAHA, a set of pliers on his tool bag, and a cowboy hat atop his head, he continued to embark on his passion for the cowboy way of life as the Ranch Manager. Moving 100s of heads of cattle on rotationally grazed pastures was his usual #1 task as he sipped on his thermos of hot coffee throughout the day and spit his "snuff" into the cup sitting next to his thermos in the White Dodge. You'd never find that White Dodge unhooked from that Featherlite stock trailer, and you'd always find his dog, Jake, sitting on the toolbox. He found tremendous joy in being able to take his grandkids Preston, Starr, and Carli with him and teach them the values in a day's work throughout the summers. In the summers you would find his grandkids in the kitchen with Marge, in the garden, or horse back in the corral.

Years of hard work and some accidents caught up with the old cowboy and he had to hang the reins at the ranch in 2010. He enjoyed a day with Marcey on the ranch here and there but would still take to the road and trails with his gray horse at home. He spent his retired days sipping coffee at the Mobil station every morning in Soldiers Grove, sipping too many Budweiser at the local bars, or having one too many Black Berry Brandy shots. He was always a phone call away for whoever needed him and the man never said "no." He spent his last almost two years with the wonderful staff at Norseland Nursing Home who grew to love his witty self and all his stories just like everyone else. We can't thank the staff enough for their exceptional care and support of Jerry especially in the last two weeks. Your compassion and love don't go unnoticed.

Jerry is survived by his children, Guy (Tamara) Nelson, Byrce (Gloria) Nelson, Marcey Nelson, grand and great grandchildren, Starr (Ryan) Onshus, Carli Nelson (Travis), Paysen and Parker Onshus, and his brother Tom Nelson and sister Julie (Lloyd) Magasted.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ervin and Clare Herring Nelson; wife, Margaret Rose Nelson; grandchild, Preston Nelson; sisters, Jeannie Ann and Kaye Zuehlke; sister-in-law, Roxanne Nelson; and nephew Timmy Nelson.

A Prayer Service was held at 1 p.m., on Sunday, September 21st, at the Retreat Sportsman's Club. Visitation was held from 11 a.m., until the time of the service. Burial followed at Walnut Mound Cemetery, Retreat.

Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home is serving Jerry's family, 123 W Decker St., Viroqua, WI 54665, 608-637-2100.