Thomas Lee Nelson

COTTAGE GROVE- After 86 years of incredible adventures Thomas Lee Joseph Nelson left this world on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017, at Select Specialty Hospital surrounded by his family. He was born in Green Bay on March 14, 1931.  While a student at Green Bay East High School, he worked as an assistant trainer for the Green Bay Packers. Tom graduated from UW-Madison where he studied chemistry, physical education and speech.  To finance his college education, Tom worked for the UW-Madison Athletic Department and also as a comedian/MC on campus and for Eddy Howard and his Orchestra in Chicago, which led to additional work in the entertainment industry. Tom married his wife Carole on May 12, 1956. He had a variety of careers starting with Research & Development for Ray O Vac Corp.  Tom served two tours of duty with the U.S. Army during the Korean War as an intelligence officer. He had a long career with Dairy Equipment Company in quality control and retired from Placon Corporation as a purchasing agent.   As a member of St. Patrick’s Church of Cottage Grove, Tom was a longtime reader and taught catechism, as well as being a member of the Knights of Columbus.  Tom would often introduce himself as a humorist.  His many stories, cooking and humor will be greatly missed.   Family was always the most important aspect of his life.  Tom is survived by his wife Carole Marie (Seiberlich) Nelson; sister, Sue (Dick) Antonello; his children, Michael Allen (Chrissy) Nelson, Jeffrey Lawrence (Jan) Nelson, Leslie Ann (Craig) Narveson, and Laurie Marie (Kirby Jones) Nelson; and seven grandchildren, Rose, Zak, Paul, Jaime, Jaeger, Cody and Ryan. Tom was preceded in death by his mother, Madeline Annette (Basche) Nelson; father, Lester Melvin Joseph Nelson, and two brothers, Robert and John. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC CHURCH, 434 North Main St., Cottage Grove, at 11 a.m., on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. Burial will be held at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church. The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to everyone for all the care and support you have shown to Tom and his family. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.    Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive 608-221-5420