Nancy Lee Nelson

1945-2025

Nancy Lee Nelson, 80, of Medford, died Monday, Oct. 20, 2025 at Aspirus Care and Rehab, while under the care of Hope Hospice.

She was born Oct. 15, 1945 in Medford to Arthur and Erma (Moore) Prell.

On March 25, 1967, she married Thomas Nelson. Together they raised four children and later divorced.

Nancy was a lifelong resident of Medford. She worked as a certified nursing assistant, then managed apartment buildings for many years until retirement.

Nancy valued family above all else, enjoying her grandchildren’s activities, travelling with them, and being included in family vacations. She cherished time with each grandchild and great-grandchild and was proud to attend her grandsons’ military boot camp graduations. Nancy was also grandma to several grand-dogs over the years. She would often dog sit for her family’s pets, and she spoiled them as well…the family often wondered if their dogs liked grandma better! Going out to eat was great for Nancy, as she didn’t do much cooking for herself. She also had a sweet tooth and loved black licorice ice cream.

She is survived by her four children, Tammy (Mark) Jensen, of Medford, Julie Gotham, of Blaine, Minn., Cory (Robin) Nelson, of Rosholt, and Susan (Tim) Vaughn, of Eau Claire; sister, Marilyn Krueger, of Green Bay; brother-in-law, Gene Krug, of Medford; grandchildren, Jessica (Casey) Nernberger, Kimberly (Kole) Hartwig, Sydney Gotham, Cassie (Brad) Gicopoulas, Christopher (Emily) Nelson, Dan (Alyssa) Novak, Josh Novak, Miranda (Dan) Oehmichen, Brandon (Donna) Nelson, Kodye (Sarah) Shier; great-grandchildren, Brooklyn, Lillian, Malcom, Carson, Brayden, Ryker, Malia, Beckett, Azumi, Caidy, Ilah, Brooke, Layla, Beau; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Carol Krug and Dorothy Bach; brother in-law, Bernard Bach; brother, Jim Prell and sister-in-law, Charlotte Prell; brother, Jerry Prell and sister in-law, Patty Prell; and brother-in-law, Ken Krueger.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 at the Community United Church of Christ in Medford with Barb Krug, SAM officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Medford.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 at the church.

Memorials are appreciated and may go the Taylor County Humane Society.

Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford is serving the family.

Please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com to share condolences online.

Paid Obituary 175987