Jerald Nelson

Jerald "Jerry" William Nelson passed away peacefully on August 28, 2024, after a brief but difficult battle with brain cancer.
Jerry was born in Stanley to Emery and Henrietta (Moeller) Nelson on September 16, 1948. He has fond memories of being raised in Wilson and Fall Creek. He graduated from Fall Creek High School and later, District One Technical School, now CVTC.
Jerry served his country as an E5 Sergeant in the Vietnam-era in Germany.
On November 16, 1996, Jerry married Eileen Reicks. They met on a blind date set up by one of Jerry's clients, Ray Willoughby. It was on that same day in 1996 that Jerry became a stepfather to Eileen's three boys, Nick, Nate, and Logan. It takes a strong man to take on the challenge of parenting three rambunctious boys, but it was one of Jerry's best decisions. He loved those kids like they were his own and their lives are immensely better because Jerry was a part of their family.
The best times of Jerry's life were spent hunting, fishing, and camping. Whether it was deep-sea fishing for halibut, ice fishing on Deer Lake or salmon fishing on an Alaskan river, Jerry was always the first one out in the morning and the last one to put away his pole at the end of the day. There wasn't a bag limit Jerry didn't strive to hit. Jerry loved Alaska and would gladly drive there with anyone who was willing. He organized countless trips there and once spent seven days hunting in the remote woods on an unguided caribou drop off hunt. His mission was to always keep the freezer full.
There is an old adage about nobody wishing they had spent more time in the office on their deathbed. If it is true, Jerry is the exception. He loved working as an accountant for Simplified Tax Inc. in Sparta. Prior to that, he was a partner in an Altoona accounting firm. After a failed attempt at retiring in 1999 and despite numerous (and likely false) claims of wanting to retire, Jerry continued to work until his health prevented him. He served twice as the President of the Wisconsin Association of Accountants and served as a board member as well. Friends and family often turned to Jerry for tax and financial advice, knowing Jerry would always steer them in the right direction.
A man of faith, Jerry was a congregate of St. James the Greater in Eau Claire. He also served on the Catholic Diocese Financial Council.
Jerry will be deeply missed by his wife, Eileen, his children, Nick (Cari) Shill, Nate (Kristen) Shill, Logan (Cathryn) Shill, his 6 grandchildren, Brooks, Axel, Tate, Aurora, Knox, and Ivy, his siblings Jim Nelson, Hanna Davidson, Betty (Harry) Hayden, Wayne (Mary) Nelson, Ronnie (Denise) Nelson, Bernice Zank, and in-laws, Betty Anne Hamilton, Al (Judy) Reicks, Kathy (Randy) Van Winkle, Duane (Penny) Reicks, Sue Reicks, Leeann (Mark Koch) Reicks, Mike (Jenny) Reicks, Steve (Tammy) Reicks, and countless close nieces and nephews.
Jerry joins his parents and siblings Joe Hamilton and Joan Nelson, as well as in laws, Rick Davidson, Carol Jackson, Eugene and Grace Reicks, and Dave Reicks in Heaven.
The family wants to extend a special thank you to the staff at Prairie Point in Altoona for their dedicated care and compassion these past three months.
Visitation will be held Monday, Sept 2, 2024, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta.
Funeral services to celebrate Jerry's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 3, at St. James the Greater Catholic Church in Eau Claire, with visitation starting at 9 a.m. prior to services on Tuesday.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Wisconsin Veterans Home at Chippewa Falls or St. Croix Hospice.
"So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." - John 16:22
Online condolences can be left at www.andersonfhaugusta.com