Joyce E. Nelson, 86, of Whitewater, Wisconsin passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at UW-Madison Hospital.
Joyce was born on September 23, 1939 in Waukesha the daughter of Gustave and Hazel (Lange) Geitner. She married Arlie Nelson on June 9, 1956 and the Lord blessed their union with four children, Catherine, Gale, Gary and Carol. Joyce worked in quality control for Creative Packaging for about 20 years, but for the majority of her working years she raised her children and took care of the family home. She was a loving mother and made sure her family was well fed and had what they needed. She enjoyed working in her garden, traveling, and babysitting her many grandchildren. Joyce was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and she will be deeply missed but forever remembered by those she leaves behind.
She is survived by: her four children, Catherine (Randy) Olp of Delavan, Gale (Allen) Petrie of Jefferson, Gary (Laurie) Nelson of Hixson, TN, and Carol (Kurt) LaBreche of Whitewater; her grandchildren, Shaun (Tiffany) Olp of Whitewater, Sara (Jack) Ruud of Machesney Park, IL, Allen (Charly) Petrie of Sun Prairie, Crystal Petrie of Jefferson, Timothy Petrie of Jefferson, Josh Nelson of Chicago, IL, Jason (Amanda) Nelson of Beloit, Zachary Nelson of Columbus, Dustin (Annah) Nelson of Single Mountain, TN, Amy (Daryl) Beaver of Whitewater, and Amber (Christopher) Goggin of Pleasant Springs; her great-grandchildren, Drake, Dakota, Alexia Jo, Pryce, Aiden, Madden, Cameron, Kaleb, Reece, Jacob, Mason, Kaci, Makenzi, Addison, Noah, Nora, Sophie, Charlotte, and Jason, Jr.; her sister, Joan (Arnold) Lewis of Hillsborough; and her brother-in-law, Floyd (Rita) Nelson of Arkansas. Joyce is further survived by a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, and her loving husband, Arlie Nelson.
A Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at the Gibson Family Funeral Home in Palmyra, Wisconsin (320 W. Main Street, Palmyra, WI 53119) with the Rev. Duane Goetsch presiding. Visitation will take place from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the funeral home. Joyce will be laid to rest next to her husband in Hillside Cemetery of Palmyra immediately following the service.
Gibson Family Funeral Homes of Palmyra and Eagle, WI is serving the family. To place an online condolence please visit gibsonfuneral.com
