Lois A. Nelson

Lois Nelson, age 94, of Madison Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Tuesday June 27, 2023, at her home.

She was born Lois Audrey Nelson on May 11,1929 in Stoughton, Wisconsin to Neal and Joan (Matson) Nelson.  She spent her childhood on a 160-acre diversified farm in Dane County.

Lois graduated from Stoughton High School in 1947 and ultimately went on to obtain a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  In both her undergraduate and graduate studies Lois specialized in fluency disorders in children (i.e., stuttering).  She studied under the legendary Charles Van Riper at Western Michigan University before returning to Madison.  Lois joined the faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1960 and taught in the Department of Communicative Disorders for 36 years.  She retired as Professor Emerita in May 1996.  She was beloved by her students and colleagues and truly enjoyed her profession. 

Lois enjoyed quilting, gardening and was an avid reader and continued to tutor children with disfluencies beyond her university career.  She was a kind, gracious and patient soul, she will be dearly missed. 

Lois is survived by her sister, Donna (Nelson) Sprunt, Tavernier, Florida; Nieces Dr. Susan V. Sprunt, Tavernier, Florida, and Mrs. Elizabeth (Betsey) Lunsford (husband Chuck) and five children of Fort Myers, Florida. 

A celebration of life will take place at 11:00 AM on Friday July 21, 2023, at MIDVALE COMMUNITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 4329 Tokay Boulevard, Madison 53711 with Rev. Katie Baardseth presiding.  A visitation will take place 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at the church on Friday.

In Lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in remembrance of Lois be sent to Madison Public Libraries through the Madison Public Library Foundation: https://mplfoundation.org ,   Agrace Hospice Care/Madison:  www.agrace.org/donate/donate-today/ , or any charity of your choice. 

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

206 W. Prospect, P.O. Box 231, Stoughton

(608) 873-9244