Adeline M. Nehls

Adeline Nehls of Madison, formerly of Juneau, age 85 died very peacefully with family at bedside. She was born August 7, 1930 in the middle of threshing time at the Watertown Hospital.  She grew up on the farm east of Juneau amidst fields plowed by teams of draft horses, sewing your own clothes and growing food put by in the cellar for winters warmed by a wood furnace.  Adeline learned to work hard and never stopped working hard nor helping everyone she could. 

     Following graduation from Juneau High School, Adeline bravely struck out for Milwaukee and Beauty School, graduated with honors, got a new job and a husband, Melvin Nehls.  She went on to “fix” hair for many relatives between full time raising a family, participating in her community and church as a happy and willing volunteer.  Adeline always found the family, neighbors and friends that needed her help while instilling in her children the ethic of human caring.

     To all those who knew Adeline it’s likely they would not say she was a fighter.  They would probably say she was kind, devoted, sweet, always ready to pitch in, empathetic, ready with a smile.  How many gallons of blood donated, how many hot dishes for church/school events, how many elections to volunteer for, how many nursing home bingo games to facilitate, how many exercise classes to lead?  Then for relaxation, how many miles to swim at the YMCA?  But in the end she was a fighter.  She was a hospice patient for 2 ½ years and surprised her Dr., hospice team and family with how much life she could find in her increasingly tiny body.  Adeline was a fighter.  Finally finding her way to the very end with peace and grace in spite of her dementia and extreme frailty.

     Adeline is survived by her children, Jennifer, Madison, Marlon(Gloria), California and Andrew (Diane), Texas. Her brother, Norbert, sister in law’s Charlotte Schmidt and Celia Nehls.  She was preceded in death by her husband Melvin Nehls, per parent’s Kurt and Meta Gerbitz.  Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation is Tuesday, May 17, 2016 from noon to 2 pm at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Juneau, WI. Funeral service will follow at 2pm at church.  Rev. Paul Hirsch will officiate.  A private interment at Juneau City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate if you would direct any donations to the Alzheimer Association to help reduce the terrible suffering exacted by dementia.  Make a general donation or a memorial or tribute to honor a friend or family member.  Your gift will make a difference in the lives of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and support research to improve treatment, care and prevention.  Donations are tax-deductible.   Donate by phone call 1-800-272-3900.  Donate by mail:  Send a check to Alzheimer’s Association 2820 Walton Commons, Suite 132, Madison, WI. 53718.

The family would like to thank all the people involved in caring for Adeline over the course of her decline from dementia. Meriter Hospitals ICU staff , Dr. John McCartney and Dr. David Solfelt. Staff from her assisted living, Sadie, Jenny, Sherrie, Brenda S., Jackie, Carrie, Chelsi, Lissette and Chaunte. The hospice care team, Kristy Scoville, RN for her understanding of what would be most helpful, to Deirdre Young, RN, for going above and beyond in her support of Mom and Jennifer and for Courtney Aeschlimann CAN, for her extraordinary and tender loving care of Adeline.

The Berndt-Ledesma Funeral Home- Juneau is serving the family.

www.berndt-ledesma.com

 Service Information