Charlotte E. Nelson

Ashwaubenon, WI

B: July 28, 1935 - D: October 17, 2024

Charlotte Elizabeth (nee Holdorf) Nelson, 89, Ashwaubenon, WI, passed away peacefully Oct.17 at home after a short illness. The daughter of the late Charles J. Holdorf and Helen E. (Elliot) Holdorf, Charlotte was born July 28, 1935, in Baltimore, MD. Upon completion of studies at the age of 15 at St. Michael's Business School in Baltimore, Charlotte received a special permit from the City of Baltimore to work as an executive assistant to a local businessman who was the head of the local USO during the Korean War.

While serving as a hostess at the USO Dance in Baltimore, Charlotte met her future husband, Richard "Dick" Nelson, a native of Ashwaubenon, WI. Dick was stationed in Baltimore and serving in the United States Coast Guard. The couple was married on November 6, 1955, and upon completion of his term in the Coast Guard, they moved back to Dick's hometown of Ashwaubenon to start a family.

While raising son, Gregg, and daughter, Debbie, with her husband, Charlotte began working for the UW-Extension offices at the Brown County Courthouse. There she met a number of Brown County officials. Because of her high level of skill and integrity in her professional conduct, Charlotte was encouraged by the county clerk to run for the position of town clerk of Ashwaubenon... before the Town of Ashwaubenon became a village.

In 1973, Nelson first ran for office to serve in the role of then town clerk of Ashwaubenon. She was re-elected every two years thereafter, for the next 34 years, until her retirement in 2008. These successful elections also included an additional special election when the town became a village.

During her tenure serving in the role of municipal clerk and as one of the longest serving elected officials in the state of Wisconsin, Charlotte worked in six different administrations serving six different elected (or specially appointed) presidents of Ashwaubenon. For her dedication and skills, Charlotte was recognized by her peers in the Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Association (WMCA), where she once served as president, as the "Municipal Clerk of the Year" in 1998. She also earned a spot in the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, where she became the first sustaining member of the IIMC Academy for Advanced Education.

After retiring from the role of elected village clerk in 2008, Charlotte took a short break and then ran for, and was twice elected to serve, as village trustee on the Ashwaubenon Village Board. This was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream to be a public servant. In total, Charlotte Nelson served Ashwaubenon for 40 years. When she was not raising her family and serving the village, Charlotte derived joy and personal satisfaction from helping others. Outside of her professional career serving others, she loved supporting friends, neighbors and loved ones. She was involved with a number of community organizations, among them: the Ashwaubenon Public Safety Department Citizens' Academy (Volunteers in Police Services/VIPS), Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Parish and its Women's Guild, the Ashwaubenon Business Association, Ashwaubenon Historical Society, the Moose Lodge and Ladies of the Moose, and as a Lady Lioness with the former Ashwaubenon Lion's Club. Charlotte was a charter member of many of the organizations she belonged to.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Helen Holdorf, her in-laws Albert and Nellie Nelson of Green Bay, husband Richard, son Gregg, sister Helen and brother-in-law Raymond Getzel of Baltimore, and brother-in-law Jim Andrysiak of Arnold, MD.

She is survived by her daughter and longtime caregiver, Debbie Nelson, Ashwaubenon, a grand-doggy Angel, a sister Joan Andrysiak of Arnold, MD; a brother and sister-in-law Charles and Joann Holdorf of York, PA; many nieces and nephews, and an extended family of friends who she looked after as family, including Corrie Campbell of Ashwaubenon, WI.

Friends and family will gather at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, 2270 S. Oneida St., from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 26; Mass to follow at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in De Pere. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com .

The funeral mass will be live streamed and can be accessed via https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGkN-XvTcPUlv6y4rVWL02g

The family would like to offer a special thank you to Charlotte's personal caregiver, Karin Clark, for her years of devoted service, caring, and friendship. Thank you to Bellin Health and Unity Hospice, especially nurse Rabiah, for ensuring Charlotte had the highest and best level of care during her final months.