Negaunee- Doreen JoAnn Nelson, age 83, longtime area resident, passed away on Sunday April 3, 2022 at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility while in the loving care of her family and nursing home staff.

Doreen was born in Iron River on June 17, 1938 daughter of the late Joseph and Pearl (Nelson) Nora. She grew up in the Iron River area moving to Marquette County in the 1950's. Doreen attended Nursing School, upon graduating, she worked as an RN at St. Mary's Hospital in Green Bay and Bell Hospital in Ishpeming.

Doreen was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, a life member of the Negaunee Eagles, an Auxiliary member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 380 where she served on the funeral honor guard team for many years. She was a member of the Greenwood American Legion, and a life member of the Ishpeming VFW. Doreen enjoyed volunteering at the Jacobetti Home for Veterans, playing on her computer, she loved music, BINGO, gambling, gardening her plants, collecting all different kinds of things, clothes, her dogs, and especially her family, kids, and grandkids.

Doreen is survived by her husband Michael Nelson, 2 children- Jerome (Brenda) Bilkey, Debbie Close, 2 stepchildren- Tina Johnson, Michael (Kristen) Nelson, 1 sister- Anita Hebert, 5 grandchildren- Kevin Sicotte, Amber Giddings, Christine Gutierrez, Krystal (Ryan) Prisk, Chad (Casey) Raisanen Sr., 7 step-grandchildren- Miranda (Phil) Cobb, Audri (Dan) Bortz, Hailey Nelson, Hannah Nelson, Draven Nelson, Laylah Nelson, Mike Nelson Jr., along with numerous great and great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and her 2 dogs Taz and Sassy. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister- Sharron Lawer, infant brother- Kenneth Nora, daughter- Kim Bilkey, and step-daughter- Brenda Nelson.

Doreen's family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility and Lake Superior Hospice for the excellent care they gave to Doreen.

Doreen's family will greet relatives and friends at the Bjork and Zhulkie Funeral Home on Saturday April 9, 2022 from 11:00am until 1:00pm. Funeral services will begin at 1:00pm with Fr. Ryan Ford officiating. A Eagles service will take place at 12:30pm honoring Doreen's many years of membership. Burial will take place in the Ishpeming Cemetery on Monday April 11, 2022 at 1:00pm.

Doreen's obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.