Theresa A Nelson

Theresa A. Nelson, 49, of Arbor Vitae, WI, formerly of Racine, passed away unexpectedly at her residence on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. She was born in Racine on November 6, 1971 the daughter of Kenneth and Carol (nee: Mc Kloskey) DeRango.

Theresa graduated from J.I. Case High School and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Nursing. She was a former member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Sturtevant and presently a member of Holy Family Catholic Church of Woodruff, where she served as a catechist aide. Theresa was presently employed by Riverview Health Service.

Theresa started out her nursing career in pediatrics, which she loved, but more recently worked at two local nursing homes and developed a real love for geriatric nursing. She was an extremely caring nurse to all of her patients. She followed a fairly long family tradition as her Grandmother, Mother, and Brother are RN's. Theresa loved the Northwoods spending a lot of time at the grandparents' cottage on Hungry Lake as a child. She loved all of the deer, especially going to Boulder Junction to try to find the albinos there. She was an avid photographer clicking pictures of nature where ever she went. They were so good that the Minocqua Chamber posted one of them on their website.

Theresa was the mother to 4 beautiful children and one granddaughter in Racine, whom she loved immensely and who will miss her greatly, as will the 2 fathers of her children. She was particularly close to her brother Dan's 3 children who lived less than a mile away from her. She also leaves behind her faithful friend and rescue dog, Bruno. Her Northwoods family consisting of Mom, 2 brothers and family will miss her more than words can say, as will her Dad, brother Mike, his partner Mick, and their son Jack from Kenosha. She was taken from us at far to early an age!

Surviving are her children, Zachary Centell, Alexandra Centell, Jacob Nelson, and Angelina Nelson, all of Racine; stepchildren, Jessica Nelson, of Racine, and Jericka (Nick) Hooten, in Arizona; grandchildren, Natalee Shuman, Ayden Aranda, Rieley Hooten, Hailey Hooten, Giselle Nelson; mother, Carol Wright, of Arbor Vitae, WI; father, Kenneth DeRango, of Salem, WI; brothers, Michael DeRango, of Trevor, WI, Daniel (Deanna) Wright, and Rob Wright; her former husband and father of two of her children, Richard Nelson, and father of two of her children, Barry Centell. Her nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends also survive her. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Vera and Albert DeRango, Dorothy and Robert McKloskey, stepson, Joshua Nelson, and uncle, John McKloskey.

Our thanks to Justin at Nimsgern Funeral Home and Father Jerry from Holy Family Parish for their assistance to the family on this part of Theresa's journey to her final resting place.

A Celebration of Life will be held this summer here in the Northwoods for all of her Northwoods friends and family.