Grace E. Nelson

WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Grace E. Nelson, 90, surrounded by the family she treasured, passed away on Friday, Nov. 14, 2014 at the Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield.

Grace was born on Dec. 18, 1923, to Valentine and Nellie (Savitski) Wojciechowski.

She attended St. Sebastian School where according to her notes "the sisters must have liked me because I had a good part in all the school plays." Grace attended Washington school and A.D. Johnston High School. And in 1972, she and the love of her life, Raymond, returned to school and proudly graduated from Luther L. Wright High School.

Before marrying, Grace worked for Hercules Powder Co., Badger Ordnance Works in Baraboo, Wis. Besides many waitress jobs, Grace was a telephone operator in Ironwood. In later years she worked many jobs and is fondly remembered at Indianhead, Powderhorn and as a greeter for Kmart.

Grace was a proud member of St. Sebastian Church and of the Daughters of Isabella. She was also a member of the Bessemer Business and Professionals Woman's Club.

Grace and Raymond Allen Nelson were married on Feb. 15, 1947, at St. Sebastian church. She devoted her life to her family and enjoyed any excuse to bring them together. During the years there were numerous Christmas celebrations, Fourth of July picnics and birthday parties. Grace was the happiest when her home was filled with family and friends. She treasured the many treks to visit children and grandchildren around the country, her "safaris". Grace loved all people. Even in her final days she blew kisses to her family, friends and caregivers at Gogebic Medical Care Facility.

Grace is survived by children; Kaye (Larry) Haapoja, Crystal, Minn., Thomas (Darla) Nelson, Bessemer, Jacqueline (Michael) Swanson, Juneau, Alaska, Raymond Scott (Nina) Nelson, Hayward, Wis., Patricia Nelson-Sherman, Bessemer, Janine Nelson, Gurney, Wis., James Nelson, Yerington, Nevada, and Janice (Kevin) Finkbeiner, Hellertown, Penn; 17 grandchildren; Don Haapoja, Tammy Livermore, Brandon Haapoja, Pamela Nelson-Schultz, Erin Nelson, Byron Nelson, Jim Swanson, John Cox, Tony Cox, Chad Cox, Bobby Sherman, Ginny Maki, Veronica Maki, Michael Maki, Robert Nelson, Travis Nelson and Jenica Hendricks; 12 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and a sister, Dolores Hafeman, West Allis, Wis.

Besides her parents she was preceeded in death by husband, Raymond Allen Nelson; son, John Joseph; brothers, Joseph Wojciechowski and Walter Wojciechowski; and sisters, Marion Dolson, Laura Murphy and Clara Berger.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday Nov. 20, 2014, at St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Bessemer at 11 a.m. Rev. Antony Lukka will be the celebrant.

Visitation will be at the Frick-Zielinski Funeral Home, 304 South Sophie Street, Bessemer on Wednesday evening, Nov. 19, 2014, from 6 until 8 p.m. where a rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will also be at the church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass.

Following the Mass on Thursday, a luncheon will be served at the Bessemer VFW Post 3673.

Cremation will take place and spring inurnment will be at the Hillcrest cemetery in Bessemer.

"Your Mother is always with you.

She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street.

She's the smell of certain foods you remember,

flowers you pick, the fragrance of life itself.

She's the cool hand on your brow when you're not feeling well.

She's your breath in the air on a cold winter's day.

She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep.

The colors of a rainbow

She is Christmas morning.

Your Mother lives inside your laughter.

She's the place you came from, your first home,

and she's the map you follow with every step you take.

She's your first love, your first friend, even your first enemy,

but nothing on earth can separate you; not time, not space ... not even death."

-Unknown

Range Funeral Service and Crematory, Frick-Zielinski Funeral Home of Bessemer have been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.