Beloved father, husband, and brother Jim Nelson, 63, died peacefully in his sleep at home on the 12 th of January 2023.

A resident of Appleton, Wisconsin since 1998, Jim was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Norman and Joanne Nelson, and grew up with his parents and four siblings in Elk Grove Village , Illinois. He attended Western Illinois University where he majored in Finance and Political Science , and after graduation, worked on several political campaigns . He then worked for many years in the software industry as a systems administrator for Gannett Media, traveling the country and based in Elk Grove. He later worked in the transportation business in Appleton.

When Jim's parents relocated near Dallas, Texas, he moved there as well. One day, his late father said he wanted to fix Jim up on a blind date with a nice woman from his cardiologist's office , a woman he thought had a great sense of humor. Jim was always an upbeat, jovial, happy guy who had a wonderful laugh, so this seemed like an interesting possibility. Their first date was at a comedy club, and the rest was family history as they built their lives together, first in Irving, Texas, and then in Appleton. T hey married in Lake Tahoe , Nevada, on September 6 th 1992 , on a beautiful sunny day . Jim was always "Dad" to Sandy's son Matt and daughter Christy from her first marriage, delighting in joining with Sandy in raising them, and they later welcomed sons Nick and Ryan.

Jim was an avid fisherman, and enjoyed frequent outings with his brother Larry and s on s Nick and Ryan. He became proficient in raising bees, and for some years shared his homemade honey at local farmer's markets. He was a Packers fan and enjoyed attending minor league games in Appleton. Most of all, Jim loved his family and loved to be together, on family outings and trips, to sports games, and just enjoying each other's company. He was al ways ready to help others, and brought many rescue dogs into the family over the years. Jim had a delightful sense of humor, was a creative and prolific writer (including letters to the editor), enjoyed debating and discussing politics, was loyal and loving, and was known by all as a kind , caring, and generous man.

Jim is survived by his loving wife Sandy (Wilson) Nelson, his son Matthew Wilson of Howard, Wisconsin (children Ella Wilson, Kennedy Wilson), daughter Christy Kaczorowski of Appleton, Wisconsin (husband Ryan Kaczorowski and children Kylie Osborne and Kevin Osborne), and sons Nicholas Nelson and Ryan Nelson. He was dearly loved by his siblings Larry Nelson, Theresa Nelson, Dan Nelson, and Claudia McQueen , who lived across the country , and gathered for many years for periodic family reunions. We will all miss him deeply.

A Service of Remembrance for Jim will take place at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 23, 2023 at BRETTSCHNEIDER TRETTIN NICKEL FUNERAL CHAPEL, 606 N Oneida Street, Appleton.  Friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. until the time of service.