Amy Ilene Nelson, 86, of Blair died of kidney and heart failure on Monday, August 10, 2015 at Tri-County Memorial Hospital in Whitehall. Amy was born on February 5, 1929, in rural Blair to Edwin and Gena (Dale) Otterson. She attended Whispering Pines rural school and graduated in 1946 from Blair High School.

She married Archie W. Nelson on December 12, 1948 at Zion Lutheran Church in Blair, in a double wedding ceremony with Archie's sister Alice and Donald Amundson. Amy and Archie lived in Blair for twenty years before moving to a farm in the Town of Preston in 1968. After Archie died on September 28, 1999, Amy moved back to the city of Blair, where she resided until her death.

Amy was the treasurer of the Town of Preston for many years, and for a time she and Archie co-owned Stumpf's Store in Blair with Viola and Jim Frederixon. Her primary vocation, however, was raising her six energetic boys. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church for over 65 years, a Golden Honorary Member of WELCA, and was active in Circle and other activities.

In her younger years Amy was a good bowler and golfer. She enjoyed gardening, and making strawberry jelly with her granddaughters. She was an excellent homemaker and cook, and made wonderful cookies. She enjoyed visiting with family and friends. Most important, Amy was a caring wife, a loving mother and grandmother, a supportive mother-in-law, a devoted daughter and sister, and a good friend. She was always there to listen and offer encouragement, and throughout her life she served as an example of patience, faithfulness and quiet goodness.

She is survived by her sons: Steven (Karol) Nelson of McGregor, IA; Gary (Shiela) of Blue River; Brian (Janet) Nelson of Prairie du Chien; Lee (Becky) Nelson of Blair; Kent (Kris) Nelson of Lynxville; and Eric (Lisa) Nelson of Mequon; 16 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; her sister Viola Frederixon of Blair and brother Gordon (Judy) Otterson of Downing; her sisters-in-law Florence Otterson and Alice Amundson; and many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Amy was preceded in death by her husband Archie; her parents; brothers Earl, Donald and Lester; sisters Geraldine Olson and June Karl; and her in-laws Amy Otterson, Otis Olson, Robert Karl and James Frederixon.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 14, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the Zion Lutheran Church with burial in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery both in Blair. Pastor Barbara Bruneau will officiate. Friends may call one hour prior to the service.

The Jack Funeral Home in Blair is assisting the family with arrangements.