Myrtle W. Nelson

Myrtle W. Nelson of Waukesha passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, at her home at Avalon Square at the age of 91.
Myrtle was born in Chicago, IL, on February 2, 1927, the daughter of Robert and Clara (nee Heldt) Raedeke. She grew up in a musical family. A talented soprano, she often performed in church singing traditional Christian duets with her sister. Myrtle earned her degree in Music Education from Northwestern University, and began her music teacher career in Michigan City, IN.
Myrtle lived her life based on “family, faith and music.” In 1952, she married Rev. Dr. Daniel W. Nelson Together they lived in six different cities and raised five children. In 1965, Daniel accepted a call to help establish a new church in Waukesha, WI, and Myrtle took a position as an elementary school music teacher for the Waukesha School District, where she introduced countless youngsters to the joy of music. As a longtime member of Southminster Presbyterian Church, Myrtle gracefully wore the many hats of an active pastor’s wife, and was the church choir director for many years. Myrtle served as a chaplain for the ER at Waukesha Memorial Hospital and visited sister breast cancer survivors through the Reach to Recovery program.
Myrtle will be greatly missed by her children, David (Martha) Nelson of Madison, Bruce Nelson of Germantown, Douglas (Jenny) Nelson of Waukesha, the late Roger (Linda) Nelson of Grand Rapids, MI, and Martha (Mark) Aslakson of Racine, her 12 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, her sister Miriam Kautz of Wheaton, IL, along with other relatives and friends. Myrtle was preceded in death by her husband Rev. Daniel Nelson, her son Roger Nelson, and grandson Johan Nelson.
The Nelson family wishes to express their great appreciation to the staff at Avalon Square and Compassionate Care Hospice for the loving care they provided in the last stages of Myrtle's life.
A memorial service in honor of Myrtle’s life will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at Southminster Presbyterian Church, 200 Richard Street, Waukesha, WI 53189. Rev. Dr. Christian Boyd will preside. The family will greet attendees at a reception at the church following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Myrtle’s name are appreciated to Southminster Presbyterian Church.