"Denise and family - my sincere condolences in the loss of your mom. Keep all the warm memories of a lovely lady close to your heart. Wishing you all God's peace. Tryg Knutson"
In loving memory of
Donna J. Nelson
April 25, 1931 - April 5, 2016
Madison - Donna J. Nelson (née: Moore) passed away on Tuesday, April 5, 2016. Donna was born in Madison, WI on April 25, 1931 to the late Frank and Annie (Olinger) Moore.
Donna was a lifelong resident of the Madison/Verona area. She attended Franklin Elementary
School and graduated from Central High School in 1949. On December 16, 1950, she married
her high school sweetheart, Leonard Nelson at Trinity United Methodist Church where they were longtime members.
Motherhood was important to Donna, she was a stay-at-home Mom while her two daughters
were young. She then worked selling Avon and Tupperware; enjoying the people part of selling.
Those who know Donna know she was a zestful lady! She ended her working career as a lab
tech with the State of Wisconsin, retiring in 1995.
Donna loved traveling and camping in their RV. She and Leonard had lots of fun with their
Good Sam Camping Club friends. Donna also enjoyed knitting, reading and spending time with
family. Her 4 grandchildren were her absolute joy in life.
Donna is survived by her 2 daughters, Renee (Michael) Baumgartner of Wisconsin Dells and
Denise Ott of Stoughton; grandsons Jeffrey Baumgartner, Casey and Jesse Ott (girl friend
Susan Burmester), sister-in-law Maxine Moore, nephew and nieces, Dewey Moore, Connie
Wedig, Kathy Moore and Sandy Peterson. All of whom she will claim as her favorite.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, Leonard "Ike", her parents, granddaughter Beth Anne Baumgartner, son-in-law
Dave Ott, brothers Harley (Dorothy), Bob and George (Kate), nephews Jerry Moore and Randy
Moore.
A special thank you to Home Health United Hospice staff; you are angels on earth. God Bless
your work.
A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at Cress Center 6021 University
Ave., Madison, WI. Family will greet friends and family beginning at 9:30 am until the time of the
service at 11:30 am. A luncheon reception in the Cress Center Terrace Room will follow.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to Trinity United Methodist
Church on Vilas Avenue in Madison.
Cress Center
6021 University Avenue, Madison
608-238-8406
Tributes
"I am really going to miss my Aunt Donna. She was a FUN person and I loved her very much. She and Leonard (I never could get used to calling him Ike) were so good to me. I remember my lunch hours from Franklin School at your house with such fond memories of ALL of you. I feel a great closeness to all of you. You were all a BIG part of my life back then. I love you and will miss her very much. God bless as you honor her life. This is a great picture of her. She is no longer in pain and that is what we all have to remember. Kathy"
"Sorry to here aunt Donna has gone to be with uncle Leonard. We had great times bowling and going on vacations together. Won't be able to make it on Saturday. You are in our thoughts and prays. Sue and Fred Sprecher. "
"When I visited my M and sister (Maria & Diana Thomas) , O enjoyed going to Trinity with them and always looked around for Donna and Ike. I loved being around this lovely, fun, special couple. Maria Wakefield, Shoreview, MN"
"Donna will always serve as an inspiration to me. Her positive attitude and smile, no matter what was going on in her life taught me how to handle adversity with dignity and grace. I will miss that. Patt @ Dr. Ds office. "
"Mom, you fought a good fight against your cancer. You lived life up to the absolute moment you no longer could. Go with God. We love you, Mom. Our memories will sustain us. Never forget to laugh!"