Lois Jane Nelson, 83, of Ellsworth, Wis. passed away on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minn. She was born on Oct. 19, 1942 to Clarence Henry and Gladys Marie (Pickering) Kenitz in Florence Township, Minn. Lois Jane Kenitz was united in marriage to Gerald Walter Nelson on July 31, 1961 at the Little Brown Church.
Lois was a caring and kind soul. She spent the majority of her life caring for children of numerous families in both Wisconsin and Minnesota. Lois also worked for several years in the housekeeping department at the St. James Hotel in Red Wing, Minn. and a few years for Service Master. In her spare time, Lois enjoyed reading, coloring books, and playing Solitaire on her laptop. She will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved her.
Lois is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Gerald; daughter, Lori DuBois; son, Lonnie (Linda) Nelson; grandchildren, Lucas (Heather) Plank, Sheila (Greg) Haan, Sherry (Jason) Brightung, and Jeremy Steffenhagen; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; her sister, Elaine Giar; her brother, Wayne (Sharon) Kenitz; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Gladys, and her siblings, Clarence Jr., Mary Lou, Jerry, Bruce, Ervin, Donald, Lawrence, and Jean.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel in Red Wing, Minn. with a visitation one hour prior to the service from 1-2 p.m.
