Obituary for Linda J. Nelson

Linda was born on December 20, 1950 in La Crosse, Wis. to Walter and Helen (Betz) Erickson. She was raised in La Crosse and attended Central High School. Linda held many jobs over the years, including at A&P grocery store, where she met the love of her life, Dick Nelson. On June 28, 1984, she married Dick in Winona, Minn. Linda spent many years working in the School District of La Crosse, serving as a cook and a teacher assistant. She spent the last several years of her career working as a health assistant at Emerson Elementary, where she attended elementary school, retiring in 2011. She also spent many years working in home care, including serving the Gundersen’s who became like family to her. Of her many jobs, though, the most important and fulfilling was being a mother to Cheri, Heather, and Ryan. She took great pride in her children and enjoyed traveling with them and her grandchildren in retirement, including the trip of a lifetime to Norway in October 2024. Linda was an animal lover, being blessed with many wonderful dogs and cats over the years; they were family. Linda’s favorite pastime was camping, with more than three decades at Jellystone Park in Warrens, Wis., where she made many friendships. She will dearly miss her Jellystone friends.

Survivors include two daughters, Cheri Starch of La Crosse and Heather (Steve) Pieper of Sparta, Wis.; one son, Ryan of La Crosse; three grandchildren, Emily Starch and Aiden and Addison Pieper; nephews and nieces, Rick (Mona) Grandall of Holmen, Wis., and Steve and Kathy Grandall of Sparta, Wis.; great-nieces and great-nephews; cousins; and her faithful companions, Yogi, Lucy, and Lily, who provided great comfort to her in her final days.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her sister, Ann Grandall; a nephew, Kevin Grandall; and a niece, Vicky Grandall. Friends may call at Fredrickson Funeral Home, 4239 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse on Thursday, February 20, 2025, from 4:00 p.m., until 7:00 p.m. A private family burial in Woodlawn Cemetery will take place the following day. Linda and her family would like to thank the Gundersen Oncology Department and Gundersen Hospice for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Gundersen Oncology, Gundersen Hospice, or the Coulee Region Humane Society.

Be not sorrowful when I die, I have fought a hard, bitter battle. The prize of rest is mine, Earned through pain and strife. Be not sad, for the prize of peace is finally mine.

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