Thomas Mark Nelson

MADISON - Thomas Mark Nelson, age 100, passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at Drumlin Reserve Memory Care. He was born on April 15, 1922, in Madison, Wis., the son of     O. Melvin Nelson and Anna (Wills) Nelson.

Tom proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Tom was an amphibious tank commander, participating in the liberation of the Philippines. Following the war, Tom was united in marriage to Regina “Gena” Howe on June 15, 1946, in Gays Mills, Wis.

Tom became a Master Plasterer working on many homes and public buildings, including the State Capitol.  He shared his knowledge of his profession through his work with MATC and the Plasterers & Cement Masons Union Apprenticeship program, guiding many young men over the years. After retirement, Tom and Gena traveled the country in their mini motor home, wintering in Texas and New Mexico for many years.  An avid golfer, Tom and his brothers played courses around the country for many years.  His love for the game was even more so when he had a hole in one. He was pleased to visit the Washington D.C. Memorials with the Badger Honor Flight in October 2011. Tom was a stranger to no one - if you didn't know him at the beginning of a conversation, you quickly became his friend by the end of the conversation.

Tom is survived by his daughters, Frances (Steve) Johnson and Barbara Yahr; son, Rex (Gail) Nelson; grandchildren, Carly (Adam) Davis, Colin (Jen) Yahr and Andrew (Amber) Nelson; great-grandchildren, Jo and Orion Davis, Bailey, Emalynn, Caylin and Saydie Yahr; sister, Leonette Sprecher; sister-in-law, Frances Nelson; brother-in-law, Lenny Albasi; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Regina Nelson; his parents; brothers, Arnold (Irene, Betty) Nelson, Julian (Della, Gloria) Nelson, Don (Mary) Nelson, Norman (Arlene) Nelson, Leonard (Donna) Nelson and Milo Nelson; sisters, Lorraine (Don) Moore, Frances (Robert Schultz and Richard Brattlie) Brattlie, Olga (Joe) Koberstein, Dagmar (Russell) Slinde and Nancy Talbert; and brother-in-law, Charles Sprecher.

A funeral service will be held at Gunderson East Funeral AND Cremation Care, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 12, 2023. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service on Sunday.  Burial will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park.

Special Thank you to the caregivers and staff at Drumlin Memory Care and the incredible nurses and staff at Agrace HospiceCare.  Memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare in Tom's memory. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420