Robert William Nelessen

Robert W. Nelessen, 83, of Kaukauna died Thursday June 23, 2011 at his residence. He was born October 2, 1927, son of the late Anton and Sophia (Lamers) Nelessen. Robert married Marian Hendricks on June 1, 1950.

Robert worked at Giddings & Lewis as a crane operator for 30 years until his retirement in 1986. He then worked at St. Paul Home in the maintenance department, and later at PSA. He was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Kaukauna, and a member of their Queen of Peace Choir. Robert delivered Meals on Wheels. He enjoyed boxing; he was founder of the Kaukauna Boxing Club. He loved to fish, play games especially cards, camping, turkey hunting, and farming, he planted trees on 7 acres of land and would be out there trimming and caring for all of them. Robert enjoyed helping others, he was a great handyman, and enjoyed remodeling, he often said, “you don't throw anything away, you fix it”, and “you don't hire someone, you do it yourself”. He was an avid Packer and Brewers fan, he always listened to Christmas music, always had a smile, and had a great sense of humor. Robert was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and son.

Robert is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marian; His children, Lois(Jerry) Gremore, Wrightstown, Mike (Julie) Nelessen, Kaukauna, Jane (Rick) Vanden Boogart, Kaukauna, and Roger (Marina) Nelessen, Larsen; five grandchildren, Tim (Natalie) Gremore, Brian (Amber) Gremore, Jilliann (Westley) Pruetting, Amy (David) Torpen, and Lisa Vanden Boogart; seven great-grandchildren, Gretta, Sam, Silas, Noah, Elizabeth, Allison, and Johnathan; one brother, Eugene (Bernice), Germantown, three sisters, Helen Diedrick, Wrightstown, Sophia “Dolly” (Dale) Meulemans, Wrightstown, and Delores (Eugene) Van Camp, Freedom; six sisters-in-law, Mary Kessler, Kimberly, Cecilia Nelessen, Little Chute, Rita Nelessen, Appleton, Dorothy Kerkhoff, Seymour, Magdeline (Melvin) Arts, Little Chute, and Lillian (Leo) Gerrits, Hollandtown; and one brother-in-law, Art Vosters, Appleton.

He was preceded in death by two sons, Michael Anthony, and Roger Joseph; four brothers, Norbert, Jim, Clarence, and Urban (Betty) Nelessen; four sisters, Ruth (Leonard) Van De Hey, Eunice (Bill) Vosters, Mildred (Gordon) Newhouse, and Marie (Edward) Vosters; four sisters-in-law, Arlene Nelessen, Cecelia (Pete) Van Zeeland, Agnes (Clarence) Schreiber and Ethel (Hilary) Feldkamp, and two brothers-in-law, Rich Diedrick and Mark Kerkhoff,.

Funeral mass will be held on Monday June 27, 2011 at 11:00 am at HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH 309 Desnoyer Street, Kaukauna, with Fr. Jack Mullarkey and Fr. Tom Pomeroy co-officiating. Visitation will be Sunday June 26, at the Fargo Funeral Home from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm with a prayer service at 6:00 pm. Visitation will continue at the church on Monday beginning at 10:00 am until the time of service. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Robert's family would like to thank the staff at St. Elizabeth, St. Paul Hospice staff, and Dr. Russo for their care and compassion.
Fargo Funeral Home
400 W Wisconsin Ave
Kaukauna, Wisconsin
(920) 766-6200