Elizabeth Nelson

1937 - 2023

Elizabeth "Betty" Jane (nee) Stearns Nelson, 86, of Eau Claire passed away in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday, September 13 at Dove West Health Care due to complications of dementia.

Betty was born in Eau Claire, WI on July 19, 1937, the daughter of Lawrence Stearns and Edith (Severson) Stearns. She was the last of her 9 brothers and sisters. She attended Sacred Heart Grade School and was part of the second graduating class from Regis High School in 1955.

Betty married the love of her life, Gilbert Henry Nelson on February 15, 1958, in the rectory at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eau Claire. She worked at Sacred Heart Hospital in sterilizing and OB in both the old and new hospitals. After adopting her first child, she was a stay-at-home mom until all 3 of her children were close to being out of school. She then went back to work and worked at Oakwood Villa in Altoona, did childcare in her home, and cared for newborn babies at Genesis Childcare in the old Convent at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Betty was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Altoona, WI.

Betty was a loving, giving, thoughtful and caring wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt. Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy. Throughout her life, she loved going shopping, playing bingo, going to the casinos, going to thrift sales, having her biannual yearly thrift sales, and most of all, family gatherings.

Betty is survived by one son, Timothy G. Nelson of Pinon, Arizona; two daughters, Tanya A. Nelson-Gupton (Joel Gupton) of Eau Claire and Tamara E. Miller of California; nine grandchildren, Aaron, Christopher, Nolan, Carter, Charles John (C.J.), Carson, Charlotte, Cooper and Lukas; a sister-in-law, Barbara Stearns; a brother-in-law, David (Diane) Nelson; and many nieces and nephews, great nieces, great nephews and great great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded death by her loving husband, Gilbert in 2010, her parents; sisters, Mary Anna Lund, Margaret Joan Pichler, Janet Ionia Risler, Annette Stearns, Edith Marie Stearns; brothers, Robert Stearns, Larry Stearns, and Theodore "Ted" Stearns. Nephews; Kurt Lund, Michael Lund, Brian Risler, and Allen Risler; sisters-in-law, Mavis Viola Borreson, Melva Ovedia "Veddie" (Chuck) Hannifin, Lorrayne (Johnny) Golsteyn; brother-in-laws, Romaine Lund, Dennis Pichler, George Risler and James Nelson; and in-laws, Oluf and Mable Nelson.

A special thank you to Betty's niece Linda Mason, Angie Dahl her hospice nurse and close family friend and her Son in law Joel for helping to provide such loving and compassionate care for our mother during the last several months.

A Mass of Christian burial will take place at 12pm on Friday, September 22 at St Mary's Catholic Church, 1812 Lynn Ave, Altoona, WI with Fr. Greg Bohren officiating. The burial will take place in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Eau Claire. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the funeral Mass. Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral & Cremation Services, Eau Claire is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.lenmarkfh.com.