IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Paul
Nelson
February 26, 1940 – August 11, 2025
Obituary
Paul A. Nelson of West Bend, 85, died on August 11, 2025, surrounded by family after a short, brave battle with cancer.
Paul was born to Newell and Agnes Nelson in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on February 26, 1940. He was raised in Onalaska, where his parents had a grocery store. Paul attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, graduating in 1962. He married his first wife, Karen Lokken, in 1963.
Paul began his teaching career in Berlin, Wisconsin, and then moved with his family to West Bend where he taught high school physics for 35 years. He also coached high school golf in West Bend.
Paul and Karen had two sons, Jeff and Mark. Karen died of cancer in 1982. In 1985, Paul married Hope Cross, whose first husband had also died of cancer. Hope predeceased Paul in 2022.
Paul's physics classes were both educational and entertaining, including popular hands-on projects. Paul taught his son Mark and all of the Cross kids. He "made physics phun," as some students have said. Paul had an amazing memory for the names of his former students and many of them kept in touch with him over the years. He was an active member of the West Bend Education Association.
Paul was proudly a full-blooded Norwegian. Every year he made lefse and Norwegian cookies, including krumkake and sandbakkel. Paul was known for his Norwegian sense of humor, though people couldn't always tell when he was pulling their legs. Paul and Hope went to Norway on the first of many trips abroad. They loved the country, but Paul remained bitter about the ticket he received for barely exceeding the speed limit.
Paul loved fishing, gardening, and taking long bike rides. Not surprisingly, he enjoyed playing golf with friends. Paul raised colorful salt water fish in a large aquarium and fresh water fish in a pond in the backyard. Paul and Hope were longtime subscribers to the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. They loved Ackerman's Park and spent many mornings there.
Paul and Hope enjoyed thrift stores, yard sales, and auctions. After Paul's retirement they had booths in two antique malls, where they sold some of their vintage finds. Paul collected old radios, yo-yos, toy robots, and records.
Paul loved to eat pizza and seafood and he made the best popcorn in his electric skillet. He also enjoyed an occasional Southern Comfort Old Fashioned, sour. He enjoyed eating at restaurants, especially where he knew the staff. The staff of Omicron Restaurant served and generously cared for Paul and Hope for years.
In retirement, Paul took up painting and enjoyed it. He painted many different subjects, including holiday scenes. Family members enjoyed receiving his holiday cards with copies of his paintings on the covers.
Paul and Hope loved decorating for the holidays and Paul created one-of-a-kind Halloween and Christmas decorations for the front yard. They were proud the year they received a neighborhood beautification award for their yard.
Paul and Hope volunteered at the Washington County Fair for many years. They were also very involved in the Washington County Democratic Party, regularly manning the party headquarters in downtown West Bend.
Paul is survived by his sons, Jeff Nelson (Pati Concha) and Mark Nelson (Michelle); seven stepchildren, Sarah Cross Goodson (Scott), Priscilla Cross Bloomquist (Daren), Roger Cross (Norine), Allen Cross (Mary Klehr), Michael Cross (Angela), David Cross (Joan Fagan), and Rebecca Cross Tradewell (John); numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.
Paul lived a good long life. He loved his children, step-children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and they loved him. He will be dearly missed.
A celebration of Paul's life will be held at the Regner Park Beach House, in West Bend, on Saturday, October 25th, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Use the Camp Lodge and Beach House entrance on Park Avenue for parking closest to the Beach House.
If you wish to make a donation to honor Paul's life, you could consider the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or the American Cancer Society.
Paul was born to Newell and Agnes Nelson in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on February 26, 1940. He was raised in Onalaska, where his parents had a grocery store. Paul attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, graduating in 1962. He married his first wife, Karen Lokken, in 1963.
Paul began his teaching career in Berlin, Wisconsin, and then moved with his family to West Bend where he taught high school physics for 35 years. He also coached high school golf in West Bend.
Paul and Karen had two sons, Jeff and Mark. Karen died of cancer in 1982. In 1985, Paul married Hope Cross, whose first husband had also died of cancer. Hope predeceased Paul in 2022.
Paul's physics classes were both educational and entertaining, including popular hands-on projects. Paul taught his son Mark and all of the Cross kids. He "made physics phun," as some students have said. Paul had an amazing memory for the names of his former students and many of them kept in touch with him over the years. He was an active member of the West Bend Education Association.
Paul was proudly a full-blooded Norwegian. Every year he made lefse and Norwegian cookies, including krumkake and sandbakkel. Paul was known for his Norwegian sense of humor, though people couldn't always tell when he was pulling their legs. Paul and Hope went to Norway on the first of many trips abroad. They loved the country, but Paul remained bitter about the ticket he received for barely exceeding the speed limit.
Paul loved fishing, gardening, and taking long bike rides. Not surprisingly, he enjoyed playing golf with friends. Paul raised colorful salt water fish in a large aquarium and fresh water fish in a pond in the backyard. Paul and Hope were longtime subscribers to the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. They loved Ackerman's Park and spent many mornings there.
Paul and Hope enjoyed thrift stores, yard sales, and auctions. After Paul's retirement they had booths in two antique malls, where they sold some of their vintage finds. Paul collected old radios, yo-yos, toy robots, and records.
Paul loved to eat pizza and seafood and he made the best popcorn in his electric skillet. He also enjoyed an occasional Southern Comfort Old Fashioned, sour. He enjoyed eating at restaurants, especially where he knew the staff. The staff of Omicron Restaurant served and generously cared for Paul and Hope for years.
In retirement, Paul took up painting and enjoyed it. He painted many different subjects, including holiday scenes. Family members enjoyed receiving his holiday cards with copies of his paintings on the covers.
Paul and Hope loved decorating for the holidays and Paul created one-of-a-kind Halloween and Christmas decorations for the front yard. They were proud the year they received a neighborhood beautification award for their yard.
Paul and Hope volunteered at the Washington County Fair for many years. They were also very involved in the Washington County Democratic Party, regularly manning the party headquarters in downtown West Bend.
Paul is survived by his sons, Jeff Nelson (Pati Concha) and Mark Nelson (Michelle); seven stepchildren, Sarah Cross Goodson (Scott), Priscilla Cross Bloomquist (Daren), Roger Cross (Norine), Allen Cross (Mary Klehr), Michael Cross (Angela), David Cross (Joan Fagan), and Rebecca Cross Tradewell (John); numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.
Paul lived a good long life. He loved his children, step-children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and they loved him. He will be dearly missed.
A celebration of Paul's life will be held at the Regner Park Beach House, in West Bend, on Saturday, October 25th, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Use the Camp Lodge and Beach House entrance on Park Avenue for parking closest to the Beach House.
If you wish to make a donation to honor Paul's life, you could consider the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or the American Cancer Society.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Paul Nelson, please visit our flower store.
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