Ishpeming – Genevieve M. Nelson, age 79, longtime North Lake location resident passed away on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at the Marquette Co. Medical Care Facility in Ishpeming where she had been a resident for the past year.

Genevieve was born May 4, 1937 in Champion, MI the daughter of the late Clarence and Ruth (Currie) Belanger. Gen was a graduate of the Champion High School, Class of 1955. She married John Nelson on October 15, 1955 and they soon moved to Chicago, IL. Gen and John moved back to this area in 1956 and had resided in North Lake for many years. Gen was affectionately known as "Sister" to her family members and was a devout Catholic and a member of the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Gen worked as a Unit Clerk at the Bell Memorial Hospital for 28 years retiring in the late 1990's.

Genevieve enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren and great grandchildren along with attending their sporting events and other activities. She loved to make each of her grandchildren and great grandchildren s Christmas stockings. When she left home, her car would always take her to Jubilee Foods. In her spare time she loved to play BINGO or an occasional trip to the casino, along with her "Card Club" or just watching the Detroit Tigers.

Survivors include four children – Nancy (Mike Perry) Vahamaa of Ishpeming, Janice Mattson of Suomi Location, Debbie (Randy) VanSlambrouck of Cheyenne, WY, and John "Hud" Nelson of North Lake, 9 grandchildren - Paul (Lisa) Vahamaa, Stacie (Dale White) Vahamaa, Andy (Amy) Vahamaa, Stephanie (Robert) Ehrhardt, Jeremy (Erica) VanSlambrouck, Dustin (Crystal) VanSlambrouck, Marissa Nelson, Jacob Nelson, Alexis Nelson, 8 great grandchildren – Noah, Anna, Callie, Nolan, Alyse, Evan, Ivy and Brock, sister Donna (Roland) Liquia of Soumi Loc., brother Joe (Karen) Belanger of Ishpeming, special sister-in-law Mary (Sherwood) Morcom of Ishpeming, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, sons-in-law - Paul "Gus" Vahamaa and Stephen Mattson, brother James Belanger and infant sister Lolita Belanger..

The Nelson Family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00am – 11:00am on Monday, October 17, 2016 at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016 with the Rev. Fr. Larry Van Damme to officiate. Interment will take place at Northland Chapel Gardens in Negaunee Twp. A luncheon will follow in the KD Hall at St. John's Church.

Pallbearers will be Andy and Paul Vahamaa, Jeremy and Dustin VanSlambrouck, Noah Chipman and Dale White.

The Nelson family wishes to thank the staff members at the Marquette Co. Medical Care Facility for their compassionate care of Genevieve this past year.

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

The funeral service recording, when it becomes available, can be found here .