Grace Rosenke Nelson (nee: Bartz), age 94, passed away peacefully at Kenosha Place on Tuesday, February 25, 2025.

Grace was born in Racine to Rev. Herman and Ruth (nee: Stoffel) Bartz. In 1949, she was a member of the second graduating class of Racine Lutheran High School. On August 2, 1952, Grace married her high school sweetheart, Earl Rosenke. Several years after Earl passed away, she was united in marriage to Elmer "Bud" Nelson. Among her interests, Grace was an avid tennis player; a duplicate bridge player and instructor; an excellent seamstress; an accomplished pianist; was active at Grace Lutheran Church, which was started by her father; loved traveling with Earl both domestically and internationally; had a vast circle of friends to fill her social life; and was the owner of Grace Meany Lingerie Store for more than 15 years.

Surviving are her daughters, Linda (Russel "Rusty") Quillin, Lisa (Jim) Schissel, Julie (Mark) Schaefer and Gretchen Rosenke; grandchildren, Amanda (Drew) Ambrose, Nathan and Emily French, Erin (Erik) Baranek, Andrew (Ashley) Schaefer, Ethan Schaefer and Alec Schaefer (fiancé, Sadie Neave), Brett and Seth Eby; great grandchildren, Vivian and Davis Ambrose, Mia and Ayla Baranek, Leven and Sutton Schaefer; nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Grace was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Ruth; husband, Earl; second husband, Bud; brothers, William and James Bartz; sister-in-law, Esther Bartz, brother and sister-in-law, Erick and Rosemary Rosenke, and sister-in-law, Ruth Robey.

Service Details

Services for Grace will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 3700 Washington Avenue, Racine on Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 11:00AM with Rev John A. Frahm III officiating. Visitation will be in church on Thursday from 10:00AM until the time of service. Private interment will take place at Mound Cemetery.

Memorial Suggestions

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Grace's name to Racine Lutheran High School or Grace Lutheran Church.