Gilbert "Gib" Nelsen

Racine – Gilbert Arthur Nelsen; age 88; affectionately known to many as “Gib” or “Bud”; passed away peacefully at Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints Medical Center on Saturday, February 7, 2015.

A lifetime resident, Gib was born in Racine on November 7, 1926 to the late Christopher and Esther (nee: Nelson) Nelsen. A graduate of Washington Park High School, he went on to faithfully serve our country with the United States Army in WWII. Gib was united in marriage with the love of his life, Mildred “Millie” (nee: Thome) on April 28, 1951 in Waukegan, IL.

Early on “Bud”, as he was known in the transportation industry, co-founded, owned and operated Nelsen Moving & Storage. In 1966, he became Executive Vice-President of Merchants Moving & Storage – retiring in 1989 after many tireless days of getting the job done. Together, for many years, Gib and Millie owned and operated Nelsen Associates – specializing in property management. Gib also served as President of Nelsen Realty.

Vested in our community, Gib remained extremely active as a volunteer for many groups, organizations and fraternal orders as chairman, president or top officer – which was beneficial to many charitable services….including: Jaycees (President), Racine County March of Dimes (Chairman), WI Movers Assn. (President), Racine Raiders Board of Directors, Racine Elks Club (Exalted Ruler – 2X), Racine Lions Club (President) – recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award & oldest Lions dues paying member in Wisconsin, member of the Racine Traffic Commission for 25 years (Chairman – 5X), member of the Racine Parking Commission, RAMAC Ambassador Chairman, Delta Nu Alpha (President), transportation committee for the Chamber of Commerce, and served on the education committee for Gateway Technical College….just to name a few.

Surviving are his children, William (Julie) Nelsen, John (Nancy) Nelsen, Kris (Randy) Melby and James (Diane) Nelsen; grandchildren, David (Kristin) Nelsen, Erika (Dave) Miller, Jessica (Brandon) Klosky, Augusta (Matt) Bell, Rebecca (Troy) Plautz, Nichole (Josh) Oothoudt, Lindsey (TJ) Cuny, Casey Melby, Jennifer (Mike) Small, Erin (fiancé, Phil Ellsworth) Nelsen, Kevin (fiancé, Becca Pruess) Nelsen and Kurtis Nelsen; great-grandchildren, Dakota & Ethan Klosky, Mattilynn & Wyatt Bell, Phoenix & Avery Plautz, Wesley & Morghan Oothoudt; Leah, Anna & Cruz Cuny; Alyson, Olivia & Delaney Small; sister, Joanne (Wayne) Behrens; sisters-in-law, Bunnie Nelsen and Elaine Thome; brother-in-law, Donald (Arlene) Thome; extended family of the Old Timers Group; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends – too numerous to mention all by name.

In addition to his parents, Gib was preceded in death by his loving wife of 55 years, Millie; brothers, Erv (Clara “Boots”) Nelsen and Rev. Robert Nelsen; sisters, Marilyn “Pet” (Jim) Daly and Gladys (Leonard) Chillquist; by Millie’s parents, Frank and Anna (nee: Lochowitz) Thome; sister-in-law, Bernice (Al) Penn; brother-in-law, Jerome Thome; and friend, Irma Martin.

Funeral services, with military honors, will be held in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Friday, February 13, 2015 at 6:00 pm. A Life Celebration dinner will follow. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Friday from 3:00 – 6:00 pm. In accordance with Gib’s wishes, cremation will follow the services and a private interment will take place in the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Memorials to the Racine Lions Club or to the American Cancer Society have been suggested.

A heartfelt note of thanks to the nurses & other staff at Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints Medical Center / 3rd Floor Oncology for the compassionate care and support given in Gib’s time of need. Your kindness & generosity will always be remembered.