Clifford "Cliff" Ingvall Nelson, 95, of Chatham, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2026. He was born August 13, 1931, in Yankee Hollow, Blanchardville, Wisconsin, to Ingvall and Estella (Retrum) Nelson.

Cliff was born on the family farm and helped work the land throughout his childhood. He graduated in 1949 as valedictorian from Arena High School in Arena, Wisconsin. After high school, he moved to Crandon, Wisconsin, to assist his sister, Irene, and brother-in-law working at Halverson Funeral Home. In 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a telecommunications specialist with the Army Signal Corps. He immediately deployed to the Korean Theater and proudly served during the Korean War from Pusan to Seoul. He served until 1953 and remained a proud and supportive veteran for the rest of his life, including as an active, lifelong member of the Sullivan-Wallen American Legion Post 11.

Cliff married Arlene Rae Greisinger on July 2, 1955, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Crandon, Wisconsin. Cliff was blessed with the love of his life, Arlene, for 68 years, providing an ultimate example of a loving marriage. Together, they were active parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents, raising three generations. They were deeply involved in their children's lives, driving them to and from sports and school events.

In addition to farming and military service, Cliff earned his degree to become a licensed mortician in Wisconsin. Initially, he worked for his brother-in-law, Carl Halverson, at Halverson Funeral Home in Crandon. He later moved to Green Bay, working as a funeral director at Code Funeral Home, spending nearly 20 years in the funeral business.

Cliff then transitioned to sales, briefly selling Fuller Brush products before launching a career in insurance. In 1964, Cliff joined State Farm Insurance as an agent in Green Bay, serving his policyholders for over 33 years and receiving numerous awards for his dedication and commitment. Following his retirement from insurance in 1997, he worked part-time at Festival Foods.

Cliff was a man dedicated to his faith as a lifelong member of St. Jude Catholic Parish. He served on the parish council, finance committee, and athletic club, and contributed as a lector and usher as recently as earlier this year. He was also an active member of the Optimist Club and a 68-year member of the Knights of Columbus, serving in the Fort Howard 3rd Degree Council and Marquette 4th Degree Assembly. Over the years, Cliff held numerous leadership roles, including Grand Knight, Faithful Navigator, and Honor Guard.

Cliff was a devoted family man, a devout Catholic, a hard worker, and an avid Green Bay Packers fan. He was proud to be an early season ticket holder, attending games starting in the Ice Bowl era. He loved working in his yard, feeding the local wildlife, fishing, playing ball with the kids, and telling "dad jokes" that brought smiles to everyone's faces. He was affectionately known for offering a warm fist bump to show his affection.

He is survived by his children, Robert (Cheryl) Nelson, David (Jo Ann) Nelson, and Dennis (Jaye) Nelson; grandchildren, Nathan (Kayla) Nelson, Jon Nelson, Alisha (Daanen) Grasso, Ben Nelson, Triston (fiancée, Paola) Nelson, Jim (Stefanie) Nelson, Jennifer (Forrest) Pelky, Stephanie (Eric) Nockerts, Brooke (fiancé, Kyle) Roberts, and Cody (girlfriend Amanda) Roberts; great-grandchildren, Serena, Jackson, Miles, Charley, Roman, Rhea, Troy, Pearl, Alyssa, Jordan, Ambrose, Neveah, Izzie, Millie, Eleanor, Lukas, Kaden, Mason, Vincent, and Vyvian; brother, Gerald (Beverly) Nelson; sisters-in-law, Emma Jean Nelson, Marge Frase, and Lynn Greisinger; special friends, Gregg and Julie Marweg; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Cliff was preceded in death by his wife, Arlene; parents, Ingvall and Estella; brothers, Knute (Esther) Nelson, Herbert Nelson, and Rolf (Claudia) Nelson; sisters, Irene (Carl) Halverson, Doris (Richard) Willborn, Violet (Dick) Dickinson, and Helen (Otis) Jacobsen; parents-in-law, Ray and Orella; brothers-in-law, Tim Greisinger, Ray "Bucky" Greisinger, and Doug Frase; and sister-in-law, Nancy Greisinger.

Friends and family will gather at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave., from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 1; Parish Wake to follow at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at St. Jude Parish, 1420 Division St., from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 2; Mass to follow at 10:00 a.m. Entombment will be at Allouez Chapel Mausoleum.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com or cards may be sent to Blaney Funeral Home to the attention of the Clifford Nelson Family, and they will be forwarded on.