David A. Nelson

David Arden Nelson, 72, of Dousman, WI passed away on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at Aurora Summit Hospital because of injuries sustained due to a fall from his tractor.

Dave was born on June 10, 1951 at Waukesha Memorial Hospital the son of Charles and Martha (Raduege) Nelson. He was baptized at Ottawa Presbyterian Church July 22, 1951. Dave was the product of a caring and nurturing household. His parents wanted he and his brother to have successful and happy lives. Dave certainly got a lot of traits from them, especially from his dad. Dave married the love of his life, Sandra (Patterson) Novak on July 12, 2014 in Dousman, WI. During their marriage he deepened his relationship with God and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior. His relationship with God lead him to be a good steward of the land he was given to farm.

He grew up in the Dousman area and from a young age had a love of mechanics and farming. He lived on the family farm for 67 years of his life and enjoyed every minute. Dave worked in a few different capacities during his working career. As a mechanic he could fix just about anything. He loved anything with a motor and knew how to work on all of them. He was also a skilled fabricator and could make pretty much any device that he needed. Over his career he worked as a Field Rep for Golden Gurnsey Dairy and, for 14 years, he worked at AWP from which he retired. He got the most fulfillment out of working the family farm. Dave was very proud of the fact that Cedar Glade Farm was in operation for more than 100 years as it was purchased by his grandfather in 1917. He had a deep love for agriculture and could spend hours discussing the industry with his farming buddies.

For leisure, Dave had quite a few interests and hobbies. He loved being out in nature whether it was hiking, bailing hay, riding his motorcycle, Nascar racing, or anything else outdoors. Dave had a fondness for motorcycles. He worked as a mechanic at Olson's in Waukesha assembling them and repairing them. He raced ice and trial bikes. His pride and joy was a 1947 Indian Chief motorcycle. Dave's most recent project was restoring his 1968 Camaro. He enjoyed being on the crew for the "Flirtin' with Disaster" pulling tractor. He also was fond of simple things like popcorn, a cold Mountain Dew or beer, chocolate, or a good bowl of ice cream. Some of Dave's best times were spent traveling with his wife to National Parks. Also, motorcycle rides on the Indian cruising the country side and stopping to grab a bite to eat. They spent many hours watching the cattle herd graze and the calves play. He got excited each spring when the new calves were born. He loved spending time with his close family and friends. Dave was friendly, kind, funny, and charming. He was a good man and lived a full life and he will be sincerely missed by his family and friends.

Dave is survived by: his loving wife, Sandra Nelson of Dousman; his children, Susan (Kristofer Whitney) Nelson of Janesville, and Ashley (Jacob) Curtis of Sullivan, Austin (Jenniece VanDinter) Novak of Fort Atkinson, Lynnae (Christian) Sis of West Alis, and David (Elizabeth Arden) Novak of Cedarburg; his grandchildren, Gary McGriff, Grace McGriff, Brooke Curtis, Lillian Curtis, CeCe Sis, and Andrew Sis; his brother, Sandy (Mari) Nelson of New York City. He is also survived by several other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Gary.

Memorials in Dave's honor may be made to his family to be used for the benefit of those who have suffered injury in a farming accident.

A Memorial Service will be held to honor Dave's life at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at the Gibson Family Funeral Home in Eagle, WI (499 Elkhorn Road, Eagle, WI 53119). Visitation will take place from 10:00AM until the time of service at the funeral home. A meal will follow the service.

 Gibson Family Funeral Homes of Eagle and Palmyra, WI is serving the family. To place an online condolence please visit gibsonfuneral.com

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
I perceive that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil - this is God's gift to man.

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil - this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

Ecclesiastes 9:9-10a
Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, al the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.

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