Francis Jerome Nelson, age 85, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, died Sunday, November 18, 2012, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire. He was born in Eau Claire on April 17, 1927, the youngest child of Carl A. Nelson and Selma (Longseth) Nelson. He worked at Charlson's lumberyard while attending Eau Claire Senior High School, then served honorably in the U.S. Merchant Marines and the U.S. Marine Corps during the last year of World War II. He and his brother, Conrad S. Nelson, joined their father in business to establish Carl A. Nelson & Sons, a woodworking and construction company, in the late 1940s. In the 1970s the brothers founded Nelson Building & Realty which developed residential housing in Eau Claire and surrounding areas. Francis, better known as Frank, married Kathryn Schumacher on August 12, 1950. The two became acquainted through their music teacher, and carried an appreciation for music throughout their lives. Frank was known for his guitar musicianship and love of country music, often playing at rodeos, dances, festivals, and events throughout the Chippewa Valley. Even late in life, he continued to "bend those strings" on the Fender with his signature style. Frank also enjoyed building and flying remote control model airplanes, and playing a good game of rummy or 500 with family. Frank is survived by his seven children, Nicholas (Janelle), Mark, Carl, Kathryn (Roy) Howard, Paul, Mary (Mark) Boysel, and Tonia (Dennis) Johnson; nine grandchildren, Kyle, Alan, and Alysia Nelson, Nathan and Joelle Nelson, Maximillian Nelson, Paul Howard, and Erik and Sofia Johnson; brother-in-law, Peter (Lucille) Schumacher of Elk Mound; sister-in-law, Barbara Schumacher of Elk Mound; and also by many cousins, nephews, nieces, extended family and friends. Frank is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kathryn Nelson; parents, Carl and Selma Nelson; brother, Conrad Nelson; and sister, Calleen (Dr. V.K.) Remington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12 Noon on Wednesday, November 21, 2012, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1712 Highland Ave. in Eau Claire, with Father Eugene Klink officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery.

Service Information

Cemetery

Lakeview Cemetery 1500 Buffington Drive Eau Claire WI 54703

Visitation

Wednesday, November 21 2012 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church 1712 Highland Ave. Eau Claire WI 54701

Mass of Christian Burial

Wednesday, November 21 2012 12:00 PM

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church 1712 Highland Ave. Eau Claire WI 54701