Eric "Rick" Nelson

Eric "Rick" Paul Nelson, age 71, of Lannon, WI, was called to eternal life by God on December 22, 2024 at Grafton Hospital due to complications stemming from a lung surgery to remove cancer. Rick was born in Milwaukee, WI on April 4, 1953 to his parents Natalie Marie Nelson (nee Reilly) and Ralph Joseph Nelson.
He enjoyed a wonderful childhood with his brothers Ted, Dennis, Paul, Nick, and sisters Margo, Natalie, and Kristin. Rick proudly graduated from Pius High School with the class of 1971. In 1980 he met the love of his life Elizabeth "Liz" Kathleen Miller, from Menomonee Falls and they married on May 21, 1982.
At a young age, Rick took an interest in all things mechanical, and entered into the workforce by taking a job as an auto mechanic. After working as a mechanic at Wayne's Amoco in Menomonee Falls, Rick decided to go out on his own and Nelson Automotive went from a dream to a reality.
As passionate as Rick was about cars, there was nothing on earth he loved more than his children and family.
Rick is survived by his children Christopher "Chris" Nelson of Campbellsport, Paul (Melisa) Nelson of Colgate, Adam Nelson of Lannon, Eric "Ricky" Nelson Jr. of Lannon; his grandchildren Erin (Samuel) Brown (nee Nelson), Grace Nelson, Wyatt Nelson, his great grandchildren Eleanor Brown, Sullivan Brown, and William Brown; his brother Ted (Wendy) Nelson; his sister Margaret "Margo" (Terry) Thorsen; his brother Dennis Nelson; his brother Paul Nelson; his brother Nick Nelson; his sister Kristin (Jay) Heppe; his uncle Dennis "Dinty" (Mary) Reilly; and several beloved in-laws, nieces, and nephews.
Rick is preceded in death by his parents Ralph Nelson (Feb. 3, 1932 – Nov. 4, 1976) and Natalie "Doll" Nelson (Sept. 16, 1933 – April 27, 2014), his sister Natalie "Nettie" Erickson (June 3, 1959 - June 15, 2015), sister-in-law Laurie Nelson (June 30, 1962 - Sept 19, 2022), and his beautiful wife Elizabeth Kathleen Nelson (May 28, 1958 - Aug. 11, 2021).
Rick will forever be remembered by his canny jokes, his caterpillar mustache, his loyal friendship, and his ability to turn out some of the most amazing food a 21-1/2" charcoal Weber grill has ever seen. The only thing Rick did better than being a Dad was being a Grandpa. He will be forever missed.
Visitation will be held on Monday, December 30 at the Schmidt Funeral Home in West Bend from 11 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. Funeral Services will be at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with burial following in Mayfield Cemetery.
Messages for the family may be left in an online guestbook at www.schmidtfuneralhome.com.