Nancy J. Nelson

Nancy Jo Nelson, age 87, of Bates Township, MI, passed away at home on Saturday, April 13, 2024. She was born on September 25, 1936, in Langlade County, WI, the daughter of the late James and Mollie Stark. She attended the Watersmeet Schools. Nancy married Robert E. Nelson on June 6, 1953, and the couple made their home in Bates Township. They celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 2003. Robert preceded her in death on March 8, 2008. Most recently, Nancy was employed as an assessor for Bates Township. Nancy was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church of Iron River. She was community-minded, serving in the past as a 4-H leader, a member of the Bates School Board, and an active participant in the Iron County Fair. Family and friends would describe Nancy as a woman with great integrity, intelligence, compassion, faith, and love. She was willing to go above and beyond to help people. She was mischievous, fun-loving, and adventuresome, but was also known for her bull-headed “Bohemian” nature. Nancy was an amazing cook, baker, and homemaker with the ability to feed her family for a winter with her canned goods. She enjoyed working alongside Robert on the family farm. She was a proficient fisherman, an outdoorswoman, and loved her dogs and horses. Most of all, she will be remembered by her children as the most amazing Mom ever. Nancy is survived by her sons, Robert (Diana) Nelson of Rushford, MN, Larry (Teresa) Nelson, Steven (Catherine) Nelson and Michael (Tracey) Nelson, all of Iron River, MI, son-in-law, Steve (MaryLynn) Buzzell of Punta Gorda, FL; daughters, Sherry (Rick) Slade of Brighton, MI, Susan (Bruce) Hasenbank of Free Soil, MI, and Nancy (Bill) Johnson of Iron River, MI; 29 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Marion Zelinski and Arlene Quenon, and her daughter, Diana Buzzell. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Iron River with Rev. Daniel Fosu to offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow at Bates Township Cemetery. The family would like to especially thank the staff at Aspirus Hospice and Jill Nocerini, DNP for their love, care and devotion. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Nancy J. Nelson, please visit our flower store.