Lois Nelsen (age 90) peacefully entered the loving arms of her Savior, Jesus, on June 18, 2024.  Lois is survived by her children, Brent (Lori) Nelsen, Karen (Robert) Riley, and her grandchildren, Kirsten (Michael) Erickson, Evan (Diane) Nelsen, Derek (Sloane) Nelsen, Kevin Riley, Emma Riley, and her great-grandchildren, Grace Erickson and Anders Erickson, as well as many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 49 years, Dr. Frank Nelsen.

Lois spent her high school years in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she attended Wealthy Street Baptist Church.  It is there she immersed herself in attending youth group and deepened her faith in Jesus.  Lois went on to Wheaton College ('55), majoring in Elementary Education.  She joyfully played her flute on several Gospel Teams while in college, and she made life-long friends with her college housemates.  Lois taught elementary education for over 30 years, thoroughly enjoying the children under her care.

She met and married the love of her life, fully expecting to be a pastor's wife, but God had other plans.  Frank attended Michigan State University to get his Ph.D., while working as a full-time pastor.  After his graduation, they moved to Wisconsin so Frank could begin his second career at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.  And Lois started teaching again, this time at Dean School in Brown Deer, Wisconsin, and toward the end of her career, Algonquin School, also in Brown Deer.

Serving Jesus and His people was her heart's desire.  For decades she served on the mission's board at her beloved church in Wisconsin, Elmbrook Church.  She also mentored young moms as a long-time leader in Women's Bible Study, and fervently prayed with the elder wives' group.  She and Frank enjoyed serving together on the welcoming team at Elmbrook by helping in the "Visitor's Room" each Sunday.  Many new attenders experienced their first taste of how to love Jesus and plug into a local church through their ministry.

Everyone who knew Lois, recognized she loved Jesus and He was her constant companion.  She taught that love to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She was interested in all their activities and sought to attend as many as she could.  She loved watched them grow and develop into young men and women.  She welcomed them with open arms each time they would visit, often shedding happy tears upon seeing them.

There will be a memorial service at Elmbrook Church, 777 S Barker Rd, Brookfield, WI 53045 on Friday, July 19, 2024 at 12:30 p.m. followed by a luncheon reception. Interment will be private at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Wauwatosa, WI. The service was recorded and can be viewed below.

In lieu of giving flowers or trees, the family asks that donations be made to Elmbrook Church, 777 S Barker Rd, Brookfield, WI 53045 or Wheaton College , 501 College Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187.