Mark Alan Nelson, 62, of Osceola, Wisconsin departed this life on July 19th, 2022, following a short but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He took his peaceful last breath surrounded in love with his adoring family by his side.

Born November 8, 1959, to Arvid and Carol Nelson, Mark was raised in Hayward, Wisconsin alongside his older sister Sheri and younger brother Michael. As a child Mark enjoyed being a Cub Scout and Boy Scout, loved playing with tonka trucks, biking, and riding in the pulp truck with his dad. He attended Hayward Public Schools and was a member of the Hurricane football team and played trumpet in band. He loved playing Taps for events whenever he was asked. After graduating in 1978, Mark began his 20-year career with the Army National Guard, where he was able to travel to Panama and to Germany twice while serving his country. In 1982 in a small Hayward bar, Mark met Roxann Anderson. They went on their first date the next day, got engaged seven months later and were joined in marriage 11 months after that on July 9th, 1983. They moved to Osceola, Wisconsin and in 1986 welcomed their daughter Jamie followed by their son Brett in 1988.

During his 44-year career, Mark worked for the University of Minnesota, Mississippi Transport, Belisle Excavating and Liquid Transport. But the bulk of Mark’s career was spent with the Polk County Highway Department where he lived his dream of being a heavy equipment operator - just like his father. He was incredibly hardworking and loved his job. He especially enjoyed wintertime as he got to plow snow and load salt trucks. Despite being away from home for 15+ hours some days, he thrived in that environment and enjoyed the great people he worked with. Mark loved to travel with his family and some of their favorite destinations were Florida, Las Vegas, South Dakota and most recently the Dominican Republic.

Mark was a die-hard Green Bay Packer fan and was lucky enough to marry into season tickets. He got to go to many games at Lambeau over the years and even traveled to other cities to watch his team. Mark also loved Wisconsin Badgers football. A highlight of his life was being surprised by his family with tickets to the Rose Bowl in 2019. He traveled to Pasadena with his son and got to do something he never dreamed he would get to experience in his lifetime.

Mark’s greatest joy in life was being a Papa to his grandson, Brooks. They were the best of friends and Mark and Roxann loved flying to Florida to snuggle their grandson. When Brett, Alyssa and Brooks moved to Madison, the visits became much more frequent, and their bond grew so strong. Mark never smiled as big as he did when Brooks was around, and those memories will be forever treasured.

His beautiful life will be forever cherished by his wife Roxann, daughter Jamie Nelson of Osceola WI, son Brett (Alyssa) Nelson of Madison, WI, grandson Brooks Alan of Madison, WI, mother Carol Nelson of Hayward, WI, brother Michael Nelson of Dallas TX, his brothers in law, four nephews, two nieces and many beloved cousins, aunts and uncles.

He was reunited in Heaven with his father Arvid Nelson, sister Sheri Nelson-King, father-in-law Warren Anderson, mother-in-law Fern Anderson and maternal and paternal grandparents.

Last Update: Jul 25, 2022 2:53 pm CDT