Obituary for Debra Jean Nelson (Williams)
Debra Jean Nelson, aged 65, passed away on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at Froedtert Milwaukee Hospital following a prolonged, heroic 25-year fight with heart failure.
Debra was born on August 20, 1956, in Fond du Lac, WI, the daughter of Ralph Williams and Jean Wunsch. She attended Fond du Lac High School. Debra married Robert Nelson on September 24, 1994, in Kenosha, WI at the Kemper Center. Debra and Robert met in 1986 while he was in ownership of Clay’s Tap alongside his family. Debra was survived by her husband Robert of 36 years. Survivors also include her children: Jamey Post, Jessica Barthule (Phil Gentz), Robbie Nelson (Samantha Nelson), and Cierra Johnson (Eddie Johnson); sisters: Char Turnquist (Herb Turnquist), Joan Tork (Ron Tork), Mary Putrow Williams, Melody Buch (Bryan Buch), Lenora Buttitta (Bobbie Buttitta), Lisa Gentile-Phillips (Alex Jager), Rosemarie Servantez-Wollman (David Wollman), and Rita Badham; brothers: Jim Williams (Laurie Williams), Tom Williams (Wendy Nelson), David Servantz Sr., and Kevin Kraemer; and grand-children: Taylor Barthule, Russell Barthule, Myles Johnson, and Damon Johnson; she is further survived by countless family, and friends who love her dearly. In addition to her parents, Debra was preceded in death by her grand-daughter Taia Miller-Post and loving, furry friends Socs and Rascal.
Debra was employed at Food-4-Less for 18 years up to the point at which the grocery store closed. She subsequently worked at Victory Beauty and Cosmo Prof until her retirement. She loved everywhere she worked as she met innumerable lifelong friends. Debra enjoyed vacationing whenever she could. An avid traveler who enjoyed various destinations including Maui, New Orleans, and the Wisconsin Dells. She excelled at finding deals on QVC and the Home Shopping Network, overfeeding her children on the holidays, and showering everyone in unmatched love and attention. Debra loved spending time with all her grandchildren. She also had a deep love for animals including pigs, as well as her surviving cats Boots and Angel. She also enjoyed caring for the possum who lives in her backyard that she affectionately dubbed “Happy.” She spoiled Happy nightly with grapes and attention.
Debra was beloved by everyone she met and was regularly called mom by the friends of her children. She touched the hearts of everyone she met. If ever anyone was ill, in distress, or someone needed to be consoled she was always there to listen or help. She routinely attended and volunteered for events at the Danish Brotherhood Lodge #14 of Kenosha, WI. She could often be found running the cash register during the Danish Brotherhood’s semi-annual breakfasts, selling raffle tickets at their bingo nights, running crafts tables at the Children’s Christmas party, and helping serve food for various functions including the Halloween party. She also enjoyed attending charitable events including her son Jamey’s Motorcycle Club the Saints of the Apocalypse benefits to raise funds for first responders as well as the military servicemen, the annual Kenosha Forgotten Friends “Paws For The Cause” and the annual Anderson Arts Center Gala of Trees.
A special thank you to her cardiologist Dr. Catherine Abbo who oversaw her care for 25 years. Also, the family would like to extend their sincere heartfelt thanks for the wonderful care received from the Aurora at Home Palliative Care and their health care staff nurse Holly, home health aide Katherine, physical therapist John, occupational therapist Dawn, and admission nurse Lori. The family is extremely grateful to all of her physicians and nurses for all the years of dedication and commitment to her health.
Visitation services will be held on Sunday, February 27, 2022, at Proko Funeral Home from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Visitation services honoring Debra’s life will also be held at Proko Funeral Home on Monday, February 28, 2022, beginning at 11 am with the celebration of life ceremony to follow at 12:00 p.m. Internment to be held following the ceremony at Sunset Ridge Memorial Park located at 4300 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, WI 53144. Honors and reception to follow the ceremony. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made in her name to the following local animal shelters Kenosha Forgotten Friends, P.O. Box 831, Kenosha, WI 53141 or at https://www.kenoshaforgottenfriends.org/ or Kindred Kitties, 614 59th Street, Kenosha, WI 53140 or at https://www.kindredkitties.org/
Proko Funeral Home & Crematory
5111-60th Street
Kenosha, WI 53144
Phone: (262) 654-3533
Visit & Sign Debra’s
Online Memorial Book at:
www.prokofuneralhome.com
Debra was born on August 20, 1956, in Fond du Lac, WI, the daughter of Ralph Williams and Jean Wunsch. She attended Fond du Lac High School. Debra married Robert Nelson on September 24, 1994, in Kenosha, WI at the Kemper Center. Debra and Robert met in 1986 while he was in ownership of Clay’s Tap alongside his family. Debra was survived by her husband Robert of 36 years. Survivors also include her children: Jamey Post, Jessica Barthule (Phil Gentz), Robbie Nelson (Samantha Nelson), and Cierra Johnson (Eddie Johnson); sisters: Char Turnquist (Herb Turnquist), Joan Tork (Ron Tork), Mary Putrow Williams, Melody Buch (Bryan Buch), Lenora Buttitta (Bobbie Buttitta), Lisa Gentile-Phillips (Alex Jager), Rosemarie Servantez-Wollman (David Wollman), and Rita Badham; brothers: Jim Williams (Laurie Williams), Tom Williams (Wendy Nelson), David Servantz Sr., and Kevin Kraemer; and grand-children: Taylor Barthule, Russell Barthule, Myles Johnson, and Damon Johnson; she is further survived by countless family, and friends who love her dearly. In addition to her parents, Debra was preceded in death by her grand-daughter Taia Miller-Post and loving, furry friends Socs and Rascal.
Debra was employed at Food-4-Less for 18 years up to the point at which the grocery store closed. She subsequently worked at Victory Beauty and Cosmo Prof until her retirement. She loved everywhere she worked as she met innumerable lifelong friends. Debra enjoyed vacationing whenever she could. An avid traveler who enjoyed various destinations including Maui, New Orleans, and the Wisconsin Dells. She excelled at finding deals on QVC and the Home Shopping Network, overfeeding her children on the holidays, and showering everyone in unmatched love and attention. Debra loved spending time with all her grandchildren. She also had a deep love for animals including pigs, as well as her surviving cats Boots and Angel. She also enjoyed caring for the possum who lives in her backyard that she affectionately dubbed “Happy.” She spoiled Happy nightly with grapes and attention.
Debra was beloved by everyone she met and was regularly called mom by the friends of her children. She touched the hearts of everyone she met. If ever anyone was ill, in distress, or someone needed to be consoled she was always there to listen or help. She routinely attended and volunteered for events at the Danish Brotherhood Lodge #14 of Kenosha, WI. She could often be found running the cash register during the Danish Brotherhood’s semi-annual breakfasts, selling raffle tickets at their bingo nights, running crafts tables at the Children’s Christmas party, and helping serve food for various functions including the Halloween party. She also enjoyed attending charitable events including her son Jamey’s Motorcycle Club the Saints of the Apocalypse benefits to raise funds for first responders as well as the military servicemen, the annual Kenosha Forgotten Friends “Paws For The Cause” and the annual Anderson Arts Center Gala of Trees.
A special thank you to her cardiologist Dr. Catherine Abbo who oversaw her care for 25 years. Also, the family would like to extend their sincere heartfelt thanks for the wonderful care received from the Aurora at Home Palliative Care and their health care staff nurse Holly, home health aide Katherine, physical therapist John, occupational therapist Dawn, and admission nurse Lori. The family is extremely grateful to all of her physicians and nurses for all the years of dedication and commitment to her health.
Visitation services will be held on Sunday, February 27, 2022, at Proko Funeral Home from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Visitation services honoring Debra’s life will also be held at Proko Funeral Home on Monday, February 28, 2022, beginning at 11 am with the celebration of life ceremony to follow at 12:00 p.m. Internment to be held following the ceremony at Sunset Ridge Memorial Park located at 4300 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, WI 53144. Honors and reception to follow the ceremony. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made in her name to the following local animal shelters Kenosha Forgotten Friends, P.O. Box 831, Kenosha, WI 53141 or at https://www.kenoshaforgottenfriends.org/ or Kindred Kitties, 614 59th Street, Kenosha, WI 53140 or at https://www.kindredkitties.org/
Proko Funeral Home & Crematory
5111-60th Street
Kenosha, WI 53144
Phone: (262) 654-3533
Visit & Sign Debra’s
Online Memorial Book at:
www.prokofuneralhome.com