Irene Kate Nelsen (née Poppens) of Mequon, WI (longtime resident of Wauwatosa, WI) passed away on February 20, 2018 at the age of 87. Irene was born in Lennox, SD on October 22, 1930. She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Washington and a Masters of Education in Nursing from the University of Minnesota. Irene was a nursing instructor at Milwaukee Area Technical College for 33 years, where she helped educate countless nurses. 

Irene spent over 45 years in her home on 115th Street in Wauwatosa, WI. She cherished the relationships she had with her neighbors. She was known for her beautiful flower filled yard. Irene also loved to travel and had many adventures over her lifetime including driving the Alcan Highway to Alaska from Seattle, flying to Hawaii in the 1950s, backpacking in Europe with her sister, and so many more. 

Irene was preceded in death by her parents William and Anna (née Andreessen) Poppens, brothers Harold, Henry and Leroy Poppens and daughter Anna Khan. Irene is survived by her son David and his wife Laurie Nelsen, grandsons Nadir Khan and Zachary Nelsen, her brother Robert Poppens and sisters Dorothy Schnose and Ruth Sherbon. In addition, Irene is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family. 

A celebration of Irene’s life will be held at Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral Home in Wauwatosa on February 28, 2018 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. In lieu of flowers memorials to the University of Washington Nursing Excellence Fund, P.O. Box 359505, Seattle, WA 98195 in Irene's memory would be appreciated. 

Dave and Laurie would like to thank the staff at Meadowmere Northshore for their care over the last 3 years. They would also like to thank her physician Avi Bernstein for his care and support.