Edward “Ed” John Nelson

Edward “Ed” John Nelson, 74, Cadott, died at home, under the care of hospice, from a battle with cancer.

Ed was born in 1951, to parents Doris and Clifford Nelson.

He was raised in Lafayette, as the only boy, with three sisters.

As a young boy, he fell in love with the game of baseball, and spent his life playing and watching the game.

Ed graduated from Chippewa Falls High School in 1969. He was employed at the same factory for 43 years, despite the plant being under different names and ownership over the years, including Amoco Foam, Tenneco and Pactive in Chippewa Falls. He worked there until the time the plant closed its Chippewa Falls location, near the time of his planned retirement.

While working for Amoco, he completed an associate’s degree in electronics from Brown Institute in Minnesota. Ed was involved in the URW union and served a term as local union president.

He was involved in several activities over the years, including playing lots of baseball and softball, even announcing many games out of his van, when he was not on the field himself. It was playing ball, where he met his wife, Alzada.

Ed married Alzada Ann Erickson, Oct. 27, 1984, at the United Methodist Church in Chippewa Falls. Together, they raised three children.

He was also a bowler and an avid horseshoe player, throwing for Bateman Tavern and Rustic Lanes in league play. In his later years, he hung up this ball glove and horseshoes, and took up the game of golf, golfing in a men’s league at Whispering Pines Golf Course for several years.

Ed enjoyed hunting, fishing, carving, attending the activities of his children and grandchildren, and being a fan of the Milwaukee Brewers, Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers.

He is survived by his wife – Alzada; children – Alzada (Terry) Oemig, Donald (Treya) Nelson and Cynthia Nelson (Skyler Johnson); grandchildren – Lucas and Alzada Bourget, Gretta Oemig, Franklin and Lacey Nelson, Rylee Schlageter and Hazel Johnson; sisters – Marie (Wayne) Anderson, Roberta (Eugene) Leidl and Lori Siddons; brothers-in-law – Eric (Marquita) Erickson and Jim (Mary) Erickson; sister-in-law – Kristine (Jeff) Armstrong; and many nieces; nephews; cousins and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his daughter – Melissa Nelson.

Services are at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 21, at Central Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls, with the Rev. Aaron Sturgis officiating. Visitation is from 4-7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 20, at Leiser Funeral Home in Cadott, and also one hour prior to the services, Tuesday morning, at the church.

Inurnment will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Chippewa Falls, following the service.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.leiserfuneralhome.com