Jane Ann (Hughes) Nelson

Jane Ann (Hughes) Nelson, age 84 of Blanchardville died on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the UW Hospital in Madison surrounded by family. She was born on June 6th, 1941, in Darlington, Wisconsin to Francis "Frank" Patrick Hughes and Mildred Irene (Larson) Hughes.

Jane grew up with her family in Hollandale on the family farm and went to Durkin Country School and then went on to graduate from Hollandale High School in 1959.  Outside of school and helping her family on the farm she played on a traveling softball team and on a bowling league. After graduation she moved to Madison and lived with some close friends for a couple of years. During this time, she was doing clerical work.  She was married to Howard Nelson on August 11, 1961, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Hollandale and later had four daughters. The family settled in Blanchardville. She worked as a clerk at the Blanchardville CO-OP office, waitressed at the Village Inn, and was the clerk for the post office in town. She became Blanchardville's postmaster in 1977 and retired with the title of postmaster in 2001. After retirement, she enjoyed getting together with her friends to celebrate each other's birthdays and staying connected with others by sharing her daily Wordle score. She was a devoted Catholic woman and remained involved at the Catholic Church in Blanchardville throughout her life. She enjoyed playing cards and traveling with the Postmaster's Union to conventions around the country. Most knew her as "Aunt Jane" to the point she rarely would respond to another name.

Jane was a quick-witted, independent, and a hardworking mother. She worked multiple jobs to provide for her family. She was known to have a good sense of humor and sharp mind to the very last day.

Jane is survived by her four daughters, Jeri Nelson of Blanchardville, Julie Nelson of Blanchardville, Jacquelyn Johnson of Rochester, Minnesota, and Amy Nelson of Blanchardville; her four grandchildren, Steven Nelson, Spencer and Sawyer Johnson, and Sammy Nelson. She is further survived by her twin brother, Jerry (Dorothy) Hughes of Belvidere, IL, and brother Dwayne (Kay) Hughes of Arizona as well as three great grandchildren Ella and Jack Nelson, and Theodore Johnson. She was preceded in death by her parents and her six brothers; Bob, Bill, Dick, Paul, Sam, and Jack.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at Blanchard Hall at 204 South Main Street in Blanchardville. There will also be visitation time 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 304 Meadow Street in Blanchardville. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. The service will be livestreamed on the Saether Funeral Service Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/saetherfuneralservice

Fr. Singareddy Prabhakar will officiate. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Blanchardville.  A catered funeral lunch will follow burial at Blanchard Hall.  Saether Funeral Service of Blanchardville is assisting the family.  Memories and condolences can be shared with the family at saetherfuneralservice.com.