Kathleen Good

Kathleen Marie Good, nee Nelson, passed away surrounded by love on June 23, 2022, after a short fight with cancer.

Kathy was born in Dodgeville, WI, and grew up on the family farm in the Town of Wingville near Montfort. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater after high school, but left school and moved to Madison, where she met her ex-husband and the father of her children, Billy Good. Over the next 20 years she lived life to the fullest, having many adventures with her family. As her children grew older, she worked for a time in insurance in Rockford, IL.

While in her 40s, Kathy was simultaneously a single parent to teenagers, worked two part-time jobs, and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Rockford College. Not satisfied with this feat, she then obtained a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Milwaukee. She had an immensely rewarding career as a case worker and case manager for people with mental illness in Grant, Iowa, Juneau, and Milwaukee Counties.

She retired nearly 10 years ago, and fully enjoyed tending her ever-changing flower beds, reading countless novels, and taking advantage of the artistic and cultural amenities of Milwaukee. She and her daughter laughed their way through the early pandemic, completing many jigsaw puzzles, and riding miles and miles on her exercise bike while “touring” ancient Greek sites on YouTube.

Kathy is survived by her children, Daniel Nelson of Denver, CO, Andrea of Milwaukee, and William (Amy) of Fitchburg, WI; fourgrandchildren, John, Emily (Russell), Elizabeth, and Meredith Nelson; one brother, Phil (Linda) Nelson; and four sisters, Becky Nelson, Linda (Ray) Spatt, Ruth (Marty) Tollefson, and Janet (Jeff) Butteris; as well as many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Sidney and Marion Nelson, and two brothers, Bruce and Howard Nelson.

Kathy’s life will be celebrated as she lived, unconventionally, with lots of love and laughter. She will be interred in a green burial at Natural Path Sanctuary, 2299 Spring Rose Rd., Verona, WI, at 10am on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, using environmentally-conscious, chemical-free methods. Please carpool if you wish to attend, as the Sanctuary has very limited parking, dress comfortably for a country hike, and bring your own chair if you wish. Following, there will be a luncheon gathering at Boulder Brew Pub, 950 Kimball Lane, Verona, WI. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission or a community support program of your choice.