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GLADSTONE -- Jolane H. Nelson, age 85, of Gladstone passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning, September 23, 2026 at Bishop Noa Home in Escanaba.
Jolane was born on September 16,1941 in Chicago, Illinois the daughter of Steve and Hildegard (Lindquist) Johnson.
Early in Jo's childhood, her family moved to Ogontz in the Upper Peninsula and she started school in Rapid River before the family moved back to Chicago, where she ultimately graduated from Fenger High School on Chicago's south side in 1957 at the age of 16.
She eventually moved back to the Southwest part of Michigan where she lived, worked and eventually met Andy Nelson. The couple was married in 1968, gave birth to their first child (Julie) and moved to Gladstone. Gladstone has been her home ever since.
Jo was very people-oriented and enjoyed going out, dancing and socializing with good friends. She loved traveling and made it a priority to plan family trips, frequently returning to Chicago to dine at the Italian Village, go shopping and take in stage musicals and stage plays like Annie, The King & I and Phantom of the Opera. She helped spearhead a trip with extended family to Sweden in 2001 to reconnect with Swedish relatives and in her later years, she enjoyed her annual trek to Lake Havasu City, AZ where she and Andy spent winters golfing, attending church and making new friends.
She never missed a yearly family reunion over the course of nearly 50 years, which continues to bring together extended family born from Steve Johnson (Jo's father) and his brother Henry Johnson, who were both American immigrants from Sweden.
Jo spent the majority of her career working at the company formerly known as Mead Paper and was an active member of First Lutheran Church, participating on the board and in the choir. She'll be remembered for her sharp wit, love of a good, strong manhattan (cocktail) and her mad Scrabble skills. She bravely survived many health challenges throughout her life and was extremely resilient up until the end.
At the end of the day, she loved her family and friends, even amidst some difficult times in recent years including the dissolution of her 55-year marriage.
Jo is survived by:
Daughters: Julie (Dennis) Landwehr of Gladstone, MI and Karin Nelson of Los Angeles, CA
Brother: Stuart (Suzanne) Johnson of Grand Rapids, MI
2 Grandchildren: Lukas Oswald of Juneau, AK and Emma Landwehr of Gladstone, MI
Several nieces, nephews and cousins and many dear friends
In addition to her parents Jo was preceded in death by former husband, Andrew Nelson and Sister, Beverly Lindquist and brother-in-law, Edward Lindquist
Family will receive friends on Friday, September 25, 2026 from 10 AM until Noon at First Lutheran Church in Gladstone. A funeral service will follow at Noon with Pastor Elisabeth Daniels officiating. A luncheon will follow in the fellowship hall. Jo will be laid to rest in the Rapid River Cemetery. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the family.
