Grace Mary (Strecker) Nelson, age 93, passed away May 13, 2023 at the Meadowbrook
Nursing Home in Black River Falls. Grace was born on June 21, 1929, in Washburn, WI, to Henry and
Anna (Shotz) Strecker and raised in the rural Washburn area. She graduated from Ondossagon High
School and went on to earn her associate’s degree from Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire,
WI, where she worked as a secretary. In 1953, she married Basil Nelson and moved to Blair, WI, to run
the family farm and start their family. In 1969, the family moved to a farm in Hixton.
Grace was devoted to her family and farming. She was an avid gardener and loved flowers. With the
family, she was involved in many community activities, hosted multiple foreign exchange students and
traveled with her husband and children. After her children were grown, she completed a certified
nursing assistant program and worked for many years as a CNA at the Pigeon Falls Health Care Center.
Grace is survived by her six children: Debra (Roger) Orf of Weldon Spring, MO; Dawn (Michael) Lahman
of Neosho, MO; Mark (Lyn) of Farmington, MN; Sally (Thomas) Strange of South Windsor, CT; Bonnie
(Jeffery) Dittel of Oconomowoc, WI; Anne (Brian) Miller of Centennial, CO. She was always proud of her
grandchildren: Jennifer (Sonny) Wilson, Tiffany (Ryan) Clancy, Michelle (Ken) Witherly, Matthew
Lahman, Nicole (Marc Grulke) Nelson, Julia Nelson, Justin (Harlie) Nelson, Robert Strange, Elizabeth
Strange, Brittany (Mike) Olson, Landon (Devon) Dittel, Malinda Miller and Brianna Miller; treasured
great-grandmother of thirteen and sister Rose Davidson of Lancaster, CA. Grace was preceded in death
by her parents Henry and Anna Strecker, husband Basil Nelson, brother Henry Strecker and sister
Florence Swanson.
Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 am with a memorial service beginning at 11 am on Saturday, July 8,
at Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home, 128 S. Hoffman St, Hixton, WI 54635. A Celebration of Life will follow
at Garden Valley Gatherings, W13072 St. Road 121, Alma Center, WI 54611. Please RSVP at
dittelparty@gmail.com for the Celebration of Life luncheon by June 30.
To leave words of comfort, encouragement or condolences please visit http://www.jensenmodjeskifh.com/.
The Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home of Hixton is assisting the family, 715-963-2311.
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