O. Fred Nelson age 94, a resident of Kenosha died Monday, November 13th, 2023, at Brookside Care Center in Kenosha WI. He was born on July 6th, 1929, in St. Louis MO to Oscar Fred and Lillie Nelson. He was the middle child of five siblings, Louise, Ethel, Annie, and Robert. He graduated from Fairview High School in 1947 and served in the US Army from July 1947 to June 1949. He was assigned to the US Army Air Corps in Alaska. O. Fred was a Chief Party Surveyor in building the longest runway in the world (15,000 feet) at Eielson Field Air Force Base which is 26 miles south of Fairbanks Alaska.
After his army service O. Fred attended and graduated from Washington University in St. Louis. He worked for the St. Louis Water Department as a professional engineer from 1952 to 1960. He then attained the position as General Manager of the Kenosha Water Utility (KWU) where he served 42 years until he retired in 2002. He will always be known for his vital work and accomplishments in the water industry, and his leadership has remained throughout the facility and operations. In 1999 was the completion of the largest operating microfiltration water plant in North America. The building and operation was named the O. Fred Nelson Water Production Plant. One of the most valuable comments from O. Fred Nelson during his 50 year career in the water industry is: “Providing and Protecting Kenosha’s Greatest Natural Resource.”
O. Fred was a life member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Water Works Association and Water Environment Federation. He served as Chairman of the Wisconsin Section, American Water Works Association, President of the Central States Water Pollution Control Association. He served on various committees of the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. He was a past member of the Kenosha Rotary Club and a former member of the First United Methodist Church.
O. Fred married Joanne Dick on April 12th, 1954. Together they lived in St. Louis MO until 1960 when they moved to Kenosha and had a home on Buchanan Road. In 2002 they built a house on Silver Lake in Salem Lakes WI called Rustic Shores. Many happy family memories were made during their years at the lake house.
He was the devoted husband to Joanne and loving father to their 6 wonderful children: Boyd Nelson, Nancy (Steve) Carney, Diane Hankes, Carol (Matt) Svensson, Keith (Kelly) Nelson, and Gail (Jon) Hintz who will miss him so very much. He is the beloved grandfather to 14 grandchildren: Kristin (Dean) Spiridon, Brian (Danielle) Nelson, Shannon (Mike) Warwick, Kelley (Jeff) Binkert, Casey (Alanna) Carney, Ryan (Kelly) Hankes, Kyle (Adaire) Hankes, Frankie (Kira) Tenuta, Gina Tenuta, Joey (Kylie) Tenuta, Kyle (Jessica) Nelson, Rheannin Nelson, Heather Hintz, and Jamie Hintz, and the caring great grandfather to 10 great grandchildren: Julia, Dean, Braydon, Lily, Killian, Conor, Leo, Luca, Rocco, and Knox.
O. Fred leaves behind a legacy with the KWU and was known and respected by many people in the City of Kenosha and his KWU friends and colleagues, but he will be remembered and forever loved by his family. He was most proud of his wonderful family and his dedication and devotion to them throughout his life. He always had a positive attitude and provided a lifetime of love and happiness to his entire family and was a huge influence on each of them.
O. Fred was an avid reader. While in his assisted living facility he decided to pen his autobiography. The title was “Life, Family and Water Works of O. Fred Nelson.” At the end of the book he wrote “I have had a great life and family.”
The family would like to extend their deep gratitude and love to O. Fred’s best friend, Ed St. Peter, who served as KWU Assistant General Manager for 33 years and General Manager after O. Fred retired.
There will be a visitation at The Kemper Center in Kenosha on Friday December 15, 2023 from 5:00-7:00pm. The family will hold a private memorial service with military honors at the O. Fred Nelson Water Production Plant. In lieu of flowers his 6 loving children are collecting donations to remember and honor his life by building the O. Fred Nelson Memorial Water Fountain at Brookside Care Center where he received wonderful care at the end of his life. To make donations to help build the fountain go to GoFundMe.com/O. Fred Nelson.
