Joanne J. Nelson

     Joanne J. Nelson of Chevy Chase, MD, Washington Island, WI and Scottsdale, AZ passed away on May 29, 2024 at 90 years old, after a full and complete life. 

     Joanne was preceded by her husband of 32 years, J. William “Bill” Nelson, and her beloved 15-year-old son, Christopher Andrew Vedenlov Nelson. 

     Joanne was born in Chicago, IL to Jack Engelbrecht and Magda (Larson) Jacobsen, and grew up in Norwood Park. She graduated from Taft High School and is a proud alumna of Lawrence University in Appleton, WI. 

     After college she moved to the Washington D.C. area to teach.  It’s there that Joanne met the love of her life, Bill.  Joanne and Bill got married, raised their three boys and spent their lives in Chevy Chase, MD. They sent all their boys to Landon School.  As a high school freshman at Landon, Chris (known for his leadership) lost his battle with leukemia.  In his honor, Landon and Joanne & Bill established the Christopher Nelson ’86 Memorial Leadership Program, whereby renowned leaders from all endeavors share their experiences on excellence and leadership with the entire student body. 

     Joanne dedicated her life to raising her family and made many sacrifices to provide opportunities for her boys. 

     Joanne also adored the many summers (and springs and autumns) of her life spent on the beckoning shores of Washington Island, WI. She was captivated by the bucolic nature of the Island, relished the fabric of its community and treasured her many Island friends of all generations. Cherished images of Joanne sitting at her cabin windowlooking out on the water while enjoying cereal & berries with coffee, toiling in her garden, running errands in her old, red Jeep and taking in fires and sunsets are now memories that will endure for all who knew her.  Just this past March, Joanne accomplished a major milestone of hers by moving to Scottsdale, AZ to be closer to family after having spent more than 60 years in Chevy Chase, MD. 

     Joanne is now finally reunited with her husband, son and parents as she was laid to rest beside them forever, at home under the peaceful shade of an evergreen tree in the cemetery on the Island that she loved so much…her favorite place on earth.

     Joanne is survived by her other sons, John William Nelson Jr. (Stephanie) and Peter Winfield Nelson (Sarah) and her four grandchildren, Jessica, Chris, Grace and Asher.  She is also survived by her sister, June (Doug); nieces, Anne and Jane; and nephew, John. 

     In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory are welcome to Landon School which will be directed to the Christopher Nelson ’86 Memorial Leadership Program (6101 Wilson Lane, Bethesda, MD 20817 www.landon.net) or to the Washington Island Fire & Rescue INC (910 Main Road, Washington Island, WI 54246; 920-847-2355).

     Joanne will be dearly missed, and never forgotten, by all who called her Mom, Grandma, Bedste, Friend.

     Casperson Funeral Home of Sister Bay is assisting the Nelson family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Joanne can be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.

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