Bruce E. Nelson, Sr. Bruce E. Nelson, Sr. age 66, of Winneconne passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday, June 17, 2009, after succumbing to Fronto Temporal Dementia in a four and a half year journey of love following repeat bouts of pneumonia at University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison. Born in Milwaukee, growing up in Mequon, Bruce embraced a love for nature and outdoor sporting activities from the time he was a young boy. He saw God's canvas in communing with nature on land and sea and enjoyed the peaceful still pre-dawn moments watching the sun rise as he marveled in each day's awakening and setting of the sun. Bruce enjoyed boating, fishing, hunting, downhill skiing, motorcycling, bird watching and dancing. Bruce was born on June 14, 1943, the son of the late Carl Edwin and Beatrice (Kilbourn) Nelson. He graduated from Nicolet High School and attended Lakeland College where he majored in science, but soon learned he was a natural born salesman. He enjoyed a long career in sales working for West Bend Cookware, Nelson & Nelson Real Estate, Thompson McKenna, Piper Jaffrey, Robert W. Baird and Stifel Nicolaus as Sr. Vice President as an investment broker. Bruce was husband to Gloria (Vanderborg) and father to sons Bruce Jr. (Nancy) of Sheboygan, Brad of Appleton, Chad of Appleton and Trent (Kristi) Nelson of Wrightstown. He will be dearly missed by his grandchildren, Taylor, Emily, Eli, Benjamin and Sawyer. His loving brothers Brett (Roberta) and Dan (Melissa) along with his many nieces and nephews will also miss his loving spirit and sense of humor which was sharp and witty. Bruce and family are thankful to the gracious love and support of the members of Community Church of Oshkosh. A "Celebration of Life" service will be held on Friday, June 26, 2009 on the Fin n' Feather Showboat II which is fitting with his love of water as family and friends pay their respects. Greeting of family and friends will commence dockside at 7:00 - 8:30PM with the memorial at 8:30PM. In honor of Bruce and his love for music and dance, Big Dog will perform from 9:00PM - Midnight with DJ and Karaoke as his wife sings his favorite songs and people dance with love and laugher in their hearts in remembrance of him. The family wishes to express their gratitude to Dr. Janelle Cooper of LaCrosse, Dr. Kay Theyerl, Harbor House in Oshkosh, Clearview Long Term Care in Juneau, Winnebago County Mental Health Institute in Oshkosh, Mendota Mental Health Institute in Madison, the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, the University of Wisconsin Brain Bank and to Bruce's social worker who tirelessly advocated for him, Dona McEssey, of Winnebago County Health and Human Services in Oshkosh. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Bruce to the Association for Fronto Temporal Dementia (http://www.aftd.org). Bruce will be missed and remembered by those he loved well with peace in their hearts as we know the Lord has warmly embraced him and said, "Well done good and faithful servant". Mueller Funeral Home 904 E. Main Street, P.O. Box 250 Winneconne, WI 54986 (920)582-4242 Please submit online condolences to www.muellerfuneralhomeinc.com