Wallace "Wally" Nelson

Beaver Dam, Wisconsin Wallace G ‘Wally’ Nelson, known by many as "coach" left us on April 2, 2024, to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Wally was born on June 16, 1935, to Ludolph and Thelma (Johnson) Nelson. Wally grew up in Lodi, WI on a small family farm. He attended Lodi public schools where he was an accomplished high school athlete. His love for sports led to his attending and graduating from UW Lacrosse with an education degree. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master’s Degree from the University of Northern Michigan. His career led him to Fox Lake, WI where he was a classroom and physical education (gym) teacher. He also served as head coach of the football and basketball teams. It was there he met Jane Pollasch and they were married on August 8, 1964, and spent almost 60 years together. He spent his working life teaching and coaching in Fox Lake and eventually Waupun, WI school systems. He was widely loved and admired by the thousands of kids whose lives he positively impacted over his years serving the community which was evidenced by kids constantly hanging on him as he walked the school hallways where he taught. After 38 years of teaching, Wally and Jane moved to Bella Vista, AR until 2020 when they moved back to Wisconsin. He enjoyed a long and fulfilling retirement that included volunteer work, golf, fishing and socializing with family and the many friends he made throughout his life.  Wally enjoyed life to its fullest and was also a man of deep faith. His faith, kindness, humor, and generosity were evident to anyone who knew him. He led a life well lived and will be missed immensely by family, co-workers, and friends.  Wally is survived by his wife Jane, children Peder (Dawn) Nelson, Carrie (Brett) Bruins, and Thomas (Julie) Nelson, grandchildren Megan (Klint) VandeZande, Tyler (Madi) DeBoer, Nathan (Drew) Nelson, Jacob (Melanie Fischer) Nelson, and Brett (Emma Mason) Nelson. Great grandchildren, Klayton and Karter VandeZande, Charlotte Nelson, Levi Mattson, Rory DeBoer, and Elliott Nelson. Surviving is a brother and sister-in-law L. Duane (Lois) Nelson, brothers and sisters-in-law, Joan (Dick) Kratz, Phyllis (Dennis) Hoppe, Elliott (Linda) Pollasch, Edward (Janet) Pollasch and Molly Pollasch, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Wally is preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws Lyle and Hilda Pollasch, a brother and sister-in-law Darrell (Darlene) Nelson, a brother-in-law William Pollasch and a niece Gerene Jacobsen. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 12, 2024, in the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam, WI. Pastor Mark Reichert will be officiating. A public visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Thursday April 11, 2024, and also one hour prior to the service on Friday. Burial will follow the services in the Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery in Fox Lake, WI. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Wally’s name to Oaks Indian Mission 155 N. Military Rd. Oaks OK, 74359 Kratz Funeral Home-Portage (www.kratzfuneralhome.com) is assisting the family with arrangements.

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