Karl Paul Nelson

Karl Paul Nelson 84, of Onalaska, died Saturday August 1, 2026. He was born April 26, 1942 to Clarence A. and Dorothy L. (Runge) Nelson in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Karl attended Hilltop School, a one room school between Stoddard and Chaseburg for grades one through eight. He graduated from Desoto High School in 1960, and then joined the US Army and took basic training at Fort Hood, Texas. He trained as a medic at Fort Sam Houston. After a short time in Texas, he was sent to Baumholder, Germany. He worked in the 16th Infantry Surgeons office at the 8th Division Artillery Dispensary. Following his discharge, he worked at St. Francis Hospital in La Crosse, Bethesda Hospital, in St Paul, MN, and Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse as an orderly in the Emergency room.

From 1966-1967, he attended Hastings School of Practical Nursing in Hastings, MN. Upon graduation, he went back to Bethesda Hospital in St Paul to work in the Emergency room.

In 1969, Karl moved to Riverside, CA, where he worked as an LVN at Riverside General Hospital working for the next 20 years in ER, Surgery, TB and Neurosurgery wards.

In 1979, Karl’s mother, Dorothy, came to live with him at age 70 until her death at age 96.

In 1989, Karl and Dorothy moved back to Stoddard, WI. Karl retired from nursing and bought Bud’s Arena in La Crosse, WI and started a new career as a bar owner. Renamed “Players”, this business grew and prospered over the next 17 years. Karl then sold his interest and retired, living in Stoddard and La Crosse. After retiring in 2015, Karl bought a new home and lived in Terlingua Heights in Onalaska.

Karl was extremely fond of the study of American and World History. He was not fond of the treatment of the North and South American Native people by the Christian Europeans.

He was also fond of nature and planting things and watching them grow. He especially loved birds and animals. The hunting and killing of the beautiful creatures filled him with sadness and distain.

Karl was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Richard A. Nelson of Brownsville, MN and his nephew Dale A. Willenberg of South Carolina.

He is survived by his sister, Roberta Willenberg of Madison, Alabama and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Per Karl’s request, there will be no visitation or funeral. A private burial will be held in St. Matthew’s Cemetery in Stoddard. The Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley is assisting the family. Condolences may be given at selandsfuneralhome.com. Memorial donations may be made to the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee.