Al & Mary Ann Nelson

The Allen C. Nelson Biology Scholarship Fund was established in 1996 by Dr. Nelson. He established this fund upon his retirement that same year. He was a professor in the Biology and Microbiology Department from 1964 to 1996. He served as department chair and was involved in department and campus activities throughout his career and continued involvement in his retirement.

The Allen C Nelson Scholarship Mycology Scholarship was also established in 1996 by Dr. Michael Winfrey and other colleagues from the Microbiology Department to acknowledge Dr. Nelson for his contributions to the Microbiology Department. Dr. Nelson passed away in October 2020. His wife, Mary Ann, resides in La Crosse and remains active in the UWL community.

Here is some information from Allen’s obituary: _Allen Charles Nelson, 88 of La Crosse, WI, died from complications of Covid-19 at Benedictine Manor on Thursday, October 8, 2020. He was born July 13, 1932, on the home farm in Pierce County, WI, to Archie John ad Hannah Clara (Pittman) Nelson. Allen married Mary Ann Schmitz on July 24, 1954, in St. Ann Catholic Church, Turtle Lake, WI. They met while they were both students at River Falls. Education was important to Allen. He graduated From Exile Grade School, Pierce Co., and Elmwood High School, Elmwood, WI. He received a B.S. degree in 1954 from River Falls State Teacher College, River Falls, WI, an M.S. degree in 1961 from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD and a Ph.D. degree in 1964 from the University of WI, Madison, WI. From 1957-1960, Allen taught at Lone Rock High School, Lone Rock, WI, and from 1964-1996 at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. While at UWL he taught Biology, Mycology, and Medical Mycology. He retired as a full professor.

Allen served in the Army from 1954-56, based mostly at Fort Knox, KY. He had many interests, family, genealogy, woodworking, gardening, and traveling just to mention a few. He was a member of the La Crosse Area Genealogy Society, Knights of Columbus, Loyal Order of the Moose, and the American Legion. In addition to his wife Mary Ann, Allen is survived by his children, Allen Charles and Donald John Nelson, Linda Marie Cummiskey and Janice Ann (Daniel) Springer, his grandchildren Amy (Garret) Prince and Nicholas Springer and great-grandsons, Mason, Deacon, and Ashton Prince. He is further survived by his brother Gerald (Mary Jane) and sister Cleo (Lloyd) Frye, sisters in law Kay Schmitz and JoAnn Schmitz and many nephews and nieces._