Jane "Janie" E. Nelson

Jane Ellan Nelson (Janie), passed away January 16, 2023 at Munson Medical Center. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Hale and Jane Nelson and two adoptive sons Travis and Scotty McPhetridge.

She is survived by her husband Jim Wenzel daughter Heather, grandchildren Nicholas and Jake Helton,  Samantha Holtgrewe, two great grandchildren, Amelia Helton and Harper Holtgrewe, and her brothers Jeff and Mark Nelson.

Janie is very much present within so many that she left behind.  She fought off pneumonia for a few weeks before succumbing to it. She will live on in the memories and emotions of her siblings, husband, numerous close friends, and her two cats Albert and Zippy.  That’s because Janie was all about love and feelings, music and animals.  

Born in 1950, originally from the north suburbs of Chicago, she spent many of her teen and earlier years in Phoenix where daughter Heather was born. Phoenix remained her frequent vacation right up until this past Christmas; and is still the home of her daughter, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. 

She moved to Alden from Phoenix in 1980, having vacationed on Torch Lake since 1950 with her parents and brothers.  Back to her Alden roots, she met Jim (Wenzel), and they’ve settled into the fabric of Alden ever since then.  

Every warm day was a chance of going out on their pontoon boat, or enjoying their tree top porch or visiting (usually receiving) friends from around Alden and beyond, especially Ohio.

Things that could make Janie happy included some Bruce Springsteen music, a cat on her chair, a friend coming by or a trip coming up to see her beloved Phoenix family.  

Almost the whole of Alden knew Janie, and if they somehow did not, they knew her cat Phoenix, which walked the town these past ten years, making himself at home almost everywhere, even at the Alden Bar, before returning to his downtown home.

Private family services will be held and she will be interred in Helena Township Cemetery, Alden. 

Memorial contributions in Janie's honor may be made to Help From my Friends, 3605 S. Derenzy Rd., Bellaire, MI 49615.

Arrangements have been handled by the Mancelona Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign her online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.