Nels Femrite

Fitchburg- Nels T. Femrite, age 85, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, May 17, 2012. He was born in Madison on November 28, 1926, the son of Nels and Thenora (Springen) Femrite. Nels attended West High School until he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1944. He served his country bravely during WWII in the South Pacific. Following his honorable discharge Nels started his long career in the Dairy industry. On August 21, 1951 he married his best friend and love of his life, Terese Mooney. Nels retired in 1993 as Plant Engineer of Bancroft Dairy in order to devote the ensuing 16 years of his life caring for Terese's medical needs at home. He enjoyed gardening, tinkering, travelling, reading, and spending time with his family. On April 21, 2012 Nels was honored to take part in Badger Honor Flight with his granddaughter and U.S. Naval veteran, Leslie. He is survived by his son, Gregory (Gretchen); daughter, Mary (Shane) Pueschner; son-in-law, Paul Davenport; seven grandchildren, Lindsay Femrite, Leslie Femrite Wandler, Jacqueline (Jason) Davenport, Christian and Johanna Femrite, Erin and Caitlin Pueschner; four great grandchildren, Mitchell, Cameron, Chelsea and Kayden; sisters, Sylvia Doerfer and Mary Knepler; brothers, John (Carol) Femrite and Glen "Tubby" (Diane) Femrite; and many relatives and friends. Nels was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Terese; daughter, Joan Davenport; and granddaughter, Kristine Davenport. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at St. Ann Catholic Church, 323 N. Van Buren Street, Stoughton, with Msgr. Gerard Healy officiating. Friends and relatives are invited to a luncheon in the church fellowship hall. Entombment, with full Military honors, will take place at Roselawn Mausoleum. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at Cress Funeral Home and from 10:00 AM until the time of services at church. Memorials may be made in Nels' name to Badger Honor Flight, P.O. Box 258006, Madison, WI, 53725. We wish to thank Christa Raymond, Jessica and Nancy at St. Mary's CHF Clinic, as well as dad's devoted caregiver, Ashley Vasquez, who became a dear friend to dad and allowed him to fulfill his wish to remain in the home in which he and mom began their life together.