Kathryn Marie (Schumacher) Nelson, age 83, of Eau Claire, WI passed away peacefully after a sudden and brief illness at Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, WI surrounded in the comfort and love of her family. Kathryn, good and faithful servant, was taken into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, February 4, 2012. Kathryn was born June 6, 1928, the third child and only daughter of Nick and Clara (Meyer) Schumacher of Elk Mound, WI. Kathryn's nickname was "Butzie", and she grew up in a simpler place and time on the family farm with her three beloved brothers, Peter, Arthur (Artie) and Paul (Paulie). Kathryn attended the primary school in Elk Mound, sometimes riding to school in a horse drawn wagon. Kathryn (also known as Kay) graduated from Elk Mound High School, and acquired her undergraduate degree from the Eau Claire Teachers College (University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire). She taught briefly at Arkansaw (Wisconsin) High School, then transferred to Elk Mound High School where she continued to teach English and serve as yearbook editor for approximately ten years. She married Francis J. Nelson on August 12, 1950 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Elk Mound. Together, they established Nelson Building&Realty on Eau Claire's west side, and over the next 60 years, turned an undeveloped field into a neighborhood of residents who knew her to be as much a friend, mentor, and faith-driven counselor as a landlady. Often, rent payments were acknowledged with a fresh-cut bouquet of flowers or a bag of fresh vegetables picked from her striking gardens which were enjoyed by anyone driving along North Clairemont Avenue. Kay continually pursued new avenues of accomplishment throughout her life, obtaining a Master's Degree from UW-Eau Claire, a State of Wisconsin Real Estate Appraiser License, and a Real Estate Broker's License.Kathryn's priorities were God and family. She sought to please Christ in every moment of her life journey, as seen in her daily attendance at Mass, and volunteering as church organist, pianist, and choir accompanist at numerous Catholic churches throughout Eau Claire. She adamantly let her voice be heard in defense of the unborn. She consistently prioritized the needs of others before her own, and served those whom God placed in her path. She also was known to enjoy a lively game of 500, bidding assertively regardless of the cards she was dealt. She brought this same enthusiasm to Meyer family reunions at Irvine Park in Chippewa Falls every September, where Kay could be heard greeting relatives, organizing the group photo, or just conversing with folks who were so dear to her. Kay is survived by her husband, Francis, and their seven children; Nicholas (Janelle) Nelson of Huntsville, AL, Mark Nelson of Eau Claire, Carl Nelson of Arden Hills, MN, Kathryn (Roy) Howard of Mercerville, NJ, Paul Nelson of Eau Claire, Mary (Mark) Boysel of Honeyoye Falls, NY, and Tonia (Dennis) Johnson of Eau Claire; nine grandchildren, her great joy, Kyle, Alan, and Alysia Nelson, Nathan and Joelle Nelson, Maximillian Nelson, Paul Howard, and Erik and Sofia Johnson; loving brother, Peter (Lucille) Schumacher of Elk Mound; sister-in-law, Barbara (Paul) Schumacher; and also by many cousins, nephews, nieces, extended family and friends. Kay is preceded in death by her beloved parents, Nick and Clara Schumacher; brothers, Paul and Arthur Schumacher who now welcome her into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord; parents-in-law, Carl and Selma (Longseth) Nelson; brother-in-law, Conrad Nelson; and sister-in-law, Calleen (Dr. V.K.) Remington. Kay's family would like to extend a special thank you to the Sacred Heart Hospital Emergency Department, the extraordinarily caring staff of Luther Hospital's Critical Care Unit, Monsignor Edmund Klimek, Fathers Eugene Klink, James Arthur and Mark Pierce, as well as Chaplains Aimee Wollman and Jamie Brei. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, February 8, 2012, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1712 Highland Ave., Eau Claire, with Father Eugene Klink officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, February 7, 2012, with a Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m.at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, 814 First Ave., Eau Claire, and one hour prior to the mass at the church on Wednesday. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery.

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