Floyd T. Nelson (Pete), 94, of La Crosse, formerly of Elroy and Kendall, passed away Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, at his home in La Crosse.
He was born Dec. 18, 1928, in the town of Fountain in Juneau County to Peter and Anna Luetta Nelson. Pete graduated from Elroy High School in 1946. He went into the Army in 1951 and was honorably discharged in 1953.
Pete met the love of his life, Patsy J. Smith of Kendall, and they were married on Feb. 6, 1954. Pete worked for the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad for a short period of time before buying a grocery store in Mount Horeb, Wis. After a few months, they sold the grocery store and moved to La Crosse, Wis.
Pete attended the La Crosse State University, and afterward they moved to Whitefish Bay, Wis., where he attended The Mortuary of Science School in Milwaukee. After graduation, he went into business in 1957 with his father-in-law, E. G. Smith (Smeeder), and purchased the business shortly afterward. Pete owned and managed the Smith-Nelson Furniture & Funeral Home for nearly 40 years while purchasing the Wilton and Ontario funeral homes during that time.
In May 1992, he sold the business to Robert Sonnenburg. In 2006, Pete and Pat moved to Fish Creek in Door County, where they resided until 2015, after which they relocated to La Crosse. He also owned the Farmers and Merchants Banks of Kendall, Hustler, Wilton, & Norwalk with his son Guy. The bank was just sold in March 2023.
Pete was president and chairman of the Bank of Kendall for many years. He enjoyed being involved in his community. He was the president of the Kendall Lions Club, Fountain Lutheran Church & Mission Home, and on the Board of Directors of the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hillsboro.
Pete was a wonderful family man. His children, grandchildren, and great-grands were his joys in life. Pete was dubbed “the baby whisperer” with all of them. They loved to travel to their children’s homes to visit over the years. Pete loved his Norwegian heritage, especially the making and eating of “Cling” (Norwegian pastry)! RV-ing and exploring the United States provided wonderful experiences for them throughout the years. Since 1995, and for 27 years, Pete and Pat took great delight in spending the winters at their home in Tucson, Ariz. During their younger years, they enjoyed their trips to Hawaii, Europe, the Far East, Costa Rica, and several cruises. Pete was an avid Packer, Badgers, and Brewer fan! Playing and watching golf was always a favorite pastime for Pete. He enjoyed the yearly deer hunt, but his real joy was the yearly fishing trip to Canada with his sons and son-in-law.
Pete is survived by his wife, Pat, of 69 years; his daughter, Robin (John) Barnes of Racine; three sons, Guy (Lynne) of Kendall, Perry (Mary) of Maple Grove, Minn., and Ryan of La Crosse; a sister, Arlene Mattson of Lakewood, Ohio; seven grandchildren, Anthony (Jessica) Barnes, Zachary (Savannah) Barnes, Britt (Jordan) Fetterly, Ashley (Jacob) Johnson, Erica (John) Paulus, Andrea Nelson and Ariel Nelson; and eight great-grandchildren, Keegan, Kennedi, Kinleigh Fetterly, Briar and Bodi Barnes, Charlotte, Jackson and Camden Barnes, and two more on the way. There are also many nieces and nephews near and far, and we can’t forget Lambeau, his faithful canine companion who gave him great pleasure.
Pete was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Mary Patricia; four sisters and brothers-in-law, Catherine (Hugh) Jepson, Edna Mae (Don) Fancher, La Verne (Buck) Rogers and Velma (Clarence) Labansky; another brother-in-law, Victor Mattson; as well as brother and sister-in-law Robert (Helen) Nelson.
Pete’s family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to the St. Croix Hospice nurses and staff for their wonderful care and smiles during Pete’s illness. Special thanks to Betsy for all her help as the end drew near. She was a great comfort to Pete and his family.
A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at Fountain Lutheran Church, W10815 Church Road, Kendall, Wis. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the funeral. A private family burial will be held at Glendale Cemetery with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations made to The American Cancer Society, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or the Kendall Fire Department.
The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences can be offered by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
