Farlene Nelson, age 87, of Wisconsin Dells, WI, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday morning, March 9, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones.

The visitation will start at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Trappers Turn Golf Club. The service will follow on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. (doors will be open at 8:30 a.m.) at the Presbyterian Church in Wisconsin Dells. A Graveside Memorial will be held at the Lake Delton Village Cemetery following the service and a lunch reception at Trappers Turn to commence.

Farlene, the daughter of Walter and Hulda Welsch, was born on May 11, 1936, in Sauk County. She was the sister of Sarah Louise and Elizabeth (Betty). When her parents passed away shortly after Sarah's young death, Farlene and Betty went to live with their Uncle Walter and Aunt Caroline Welke on their farm in Blackhawk, Wisconsin. Upon graduation, Farlene moved to Madison where she took the Civil Service exam to become a medical secretary for Chief of Surgery, Dr. John T. Medenhall at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital. During that time, her sister Betty set her up on a blind date with her brother-in-law's best friend, Todd Nelson, of Wisconsin Dells.

The couple was married on October 21, 1957, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison. After their first daughter Robyn was born in 1958, Farlene and Todd decided to pursue self-employment and move to Wisconsin Dells to be close to family. A second daughter, Penny, and son, Todd, followed in 1959 and 1960, respectively. Farlene and Todd leased Lost Canyon horse-drawn wagon tours in Lake Delton for seven seasons. She worked tirelessly and with enthusiasm on each new project that the couple pursued. She loved the Clydesdale horses, the wagons, and the opportunity to be self-employed. The three Nelson children worked with their parents, applying Lost Canyon bumper stickers on customers' cars and picking up trash in the canyon. Their reward was swimming and riding the Wisconsin Dells attractions buses in the afternoons. It was during that era when Farlene designed and published a coloring book of local businesses, "A to Z of Wisconsin Dells."

Farlene was also working at Medical Associates in Baraboo as a medical transcriber for the clinic's eight doctors, a position she held for 23 years. Farlene was highly regarded for being an extremely fast and accurate typist and excelled in medical transcription. Later, Todd Sr. became a part-time auctioneer while also working at the Badger Army Ammunition Plant in Baraboo. Despite the hard work of running their auction business, the couple and their children considered the work fun and enjoyed holding auctions on Tuesday nights and weekends. Their son, Todd, joined his father in the auctioneering business at age 14, becoming the state's youngest auctioneer. Farlene set up the auctions and clerked them. She was assisted by Robyn and Penny, and all three children ran a food stand at the auctions. Farlene also started her own collection agency, Parkway Collections, which she ran for five years. She was assisted by her daughter Robyn, in sales. Farlene was very successful in this endeavor.

As her children became adults, son Todd and daughter-in-law Shari bought the Brother-in-Laws bar in Lake Delton. Shortly thereafter, they bought the building next door and created and operated the Pizza Pub. Farlene assisted Todd and Shari by serving as hostess and also managing a smaller Pizza Pub restaurant in downtown Wisconsin Dells. She took great pride in the success of her business sales, including window sales to passerby tourists walking downtown. The staff and locals loved her. She eventually retired from working at Medical Associates and started working full time for her son, Todd. First, at the Ramada Raintree Hotel and later at the Kalahari Resort where she worked in sales. She was immediately and proudly the top Kalahari sales person. Farlene loved to help out wherever needed at the family-business, where she developed many deep and lasting friendships.

There were always new adventures and new dreams. As she aged, Farlene took on the important role of hostess. She planned and hosted the birthday parties, holiday celebrations, reveal parties, and bridal and baby showers for her many kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews and more. She faithfully entertained five nights a week. Farlene was the glue that kept her family together throughout the years. She was the happiest when her house was full of people at 5:00 pm for happy hour; a tradition that she enjoyed with her son every day for 30 years. She was grateful to Todd and Shari for providing her with a home located inside of theirs. When the family needed guidance, when they needed hope, she was always there.

Farlene was so goal driven that "no" wasn't in her vocabulary. She always found a perfect, positive solution to everything; a valued trait that she passed on to her children and grandchildren. Mother, (what Todd called her) is why we are here and who we are. Farlene lived a generous life always placing herself second to the needs of others, helping loved ones both physically and financially. She was a passionate philanthropist. Farlene became involved with Hope House of South Central Wisconsin where she assumed the challenge of helping the nonprofit organization raise funds through annual charity auctions she hosted at Trapper's Turn Golf Club. Her story is one of wonder, hope, and inspiration.

Farlene lived out her Christian values and she ensured that her children embraced those same values by attending church with her every week. Together, they faithfully attended Bethany Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Dells, later St. John's Lutheran Church in Baraboo, and last, the United Presbyterian Church in Wisconsin Dells where she felt especially welcome and became close to Pastor Steve Keller and his beautiful wife, Sue.

Farlene was preceded in death by her husband Todd "Senior" Nelson, on March 23, 2019. She is survived by her three children, Robyn (Terry Hanger), Penny (Gary Kowalke) and Todd (Shari) Nelson. She is further survived by her 10 grandchildren, Natalie (Tim Leyden), Nelson Ennis (Gretchen Running), Dolly (John Joseph), Grant Slayton, Paige (Matt George), Todd Nelson Jr., Travis (Megan) Nelson, Natasha (Cory Lucke), Ashley (Caleb Turzinski) and Alissa (Bob Gander). In addition, she is survived by her 25 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, as well as many dear friends. We would also like to extend our gratitude to Amanda, JoAnn, and Jennifer; Mom's caregivers. Also, a heartfelt thank you to Rae from Agrace for her help these past months. Farlene was always there, through whatever storms life brought, guiding our family safely through the darkness and inspiring us to never fear, to take risks, to always have the courage for new adventures. She will be deeply missed by all who loved and knew her. If not for her love and faith, our family would not have known such warm and giving lives.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers please make a donation to Agrace Hospice.

A hotel block of rooms has been reserved at the Kalahari Resort for those coming from out of town. Please reach out to Anelson@kalahariresorts.com to book.