Beloved, Eternal Wife, Mother, Sister, Niece, Grandmother and Friend.
There are so many things Denise will be remembered for and all of them showed us how to live life, trust and how to build relationships but most importantly, how to love.
Denise was christened on March 8, 1953, Denise Dawn James in Elkhorn but resided in Delavan. Denise spent most of her early childhood in Delavan, and then moved to Fairfield. She graduated in 1971 from Delavan-Darien High School.
Denise became a mother in 1975 with a beautiful baby boy and again was blessed in 1976 to a beautiful “little princess.” Her children were the joy in her life and she loved them, unconditionally with all she was. The blessing of such a wonderful mother as Denise has made for two exceptional young people that grew into adults that would have the upbringing they had been given by God when they chose Denise as their mother.
Though God’s divine plan Denise was reunited with her high school sweetheart Mark Nelson in 2007 when she would begin a new chapter in her life which would take her back in time as if they had never left each other. It would be in March of 2008 when they would reunite their lives, their hearts and their love. It would be a love that transcends all time. The memories the two would share with Oscar, their beloved dachshund, would take them to Lake Tahoe, Calif., Daytona Beach Fla., Key West, Fla., Door County, Lake Geneva and Delavan Lake.
One of Denise’s highlights was her first time to experiencing the ocean. Time became too short in November 2012 when Denise was diagnosed with cervical cancer only to discover she also had breast cancer. Although Denise showed the spirit of a fighter, she lost her battle in her home on May 23, 2013.
Her homecoming into Heaven was the most beautiful experience and we truly thank God that she did not suffer. She passed into the presence of her sweet Jesus on the Amen of the Lord’s Prayer! Our dear sweet Denise, your love was amazing and your smile was contagious and will live forever in our hearts, lives and memories.
Denise was preceded in death by her father, Donald James.
She is survived by husband Mark Nelson; parents Alyce and Arden Reum; brother Tom James; son Bob Dillenbeck and wife Holly, daughter Jen and husband Mark Lezotte, along with son Steven Nelson; and grandchildren Grace and Owen Lezotte, Brooklyn and Logan Dillenbeck and Oscar Nelson;
Extended families Aunt Jeri and Uncle George and Aunt Mert. Close friends Chris and Tom Mohr, Jim and Sherri Karstetter, and too many more to mention. We sincerely want to thank you all for your support.
Let the love never end, from here to eternity and back.
