Ishpeming, MI / Osceola, WI - Dudley Ross Nelson, 84, longtime Ishpeming Township resident, currently of Osceola, WI, passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at the Osceola Medical Center while in the loving care of his family.

Dudley was born in Ishpeming, Michigan on December 14, 1938, a son of the late Lena C. (Olson) and Nels I. Nelson.  He grew up in National Mine and was a graduate of the National Mine High School, Class of 1956. He served in the U.S. Army from 1963 - 1965 with the Pershing Missile Battalion and was stationed in Germany for one year.

His employment started in 1958 as an apprentice electrician from which he became a Union Electrician for Local 1070 for 50 plus years. He quickly became a Foreman and led many large projects.  Some of these large projects included KI Sawyer Air Force Base, Marquette General Hospital, Westwood High School, Michigan Technological University, and Northern Michigan University. Dudley worked for many years for Somes Electric out of Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

He was a former member of the Ishpeming Elks Club. Dudley loved working on cars and enjoyed the outdoors, especially bird hunting and snowmobiling. After retirement he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and gardening.

Survivors include his wife Kathryn Zoe (Pietro) Nelson whom he married Sept 29, 1962, daughter, Pamela Zoe (Dave) Anderson of Lindstrom, MN, son, Kevin E. (Nicole) Nelson of Osceola, WI,  4 grandchildren, Derek Fox, Haley Zoe Fox, Teagan Nelson, Noah Ross Nelson, two sisters, Barbara (Don) Behm of Appleton, WI; Virginia (Willard) Shepard of Neenah, WI, brother, Bruce (Joan) Nelson, of Negaunee, along with many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jack (Dona) Nelson, 3 sisters – Bernice (Bill) James, June (Elmer) Saari, Irene (Robert) James, sisters-in-law Suzanne (Paul) Coron, Janice (Sam) Wick and brother-in-law Paul (Jeanette) Pietro.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 5:00pm – 7:00pm on Monday March 13, 2023, at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home and again from 10am-11am on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Ishpeming.  Funeral Services will follow at 11:00am on Tuesday with the Rev Steve Weston officiating, which may be viewed at the Trinity Lutheran facebook page by clicking here. Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Army, UP Honors Team. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery. A luncheon will follow the services in the church hall.

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