Retta Lea (Knight) Nelson, aged 86, passed away in Frederic, Wisconsin, on December 6, 2025. Born on December 19, 1938, in Cumberland, Wisconsin, she was the beloved daughter of Ivan Knight and Adeline (Weaver). Retta graduated a year early from Frederic High School in May 1957. In 1955, she met her future husband, Harold, and they were united in marriage on May 13, 1957, in Pine City, Minnesota. Following their wedding, the couple spent two years working together in St. Paul, Minnesota.

On January 1, 1960, Harold and Retta purchased the Clam Falls General Store. Together, they operated the store and raised their five sons in the Clam Falls, Wisconsin, community. After selling the store in 1977, they took on the challenge of remodeling a historic barn into a beautiful home on 40 acres along the Clam River in McKinley Township. Retta also enjoyed a long career as a seamstress at Alcan Manufacturing in Centuria, Wisconsin.

Upon their retirement in 1999, Retta and Harold settled into a new home on the Yellow River in Danbury, Wisconsin. Their retirement years were filled with travel to places such as Alaska, California, Hawaii, Japan, and Guam. They also spent over 15 years snow birding in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Throughout their marriage, Retta and Harold enjoyed dancing together, whether that be at home or during their travels. Retta and Harold were devoted members of Clam Falls Lutheran Church in Clam Falls, Wisconsin.

Retta was known for her constant creativity and active hands. She was always crocheting on a blanket, sewing a quilt, embroidering, or hand quilting special gifts for her family. Her home-cooked meals and desserts were cherished by all, and she took great joy in feeding her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren around her dining table, always with love. Throughout her life, Retta was an avid reader and passionate gardener. In recent years, Retta also adored her dog, Joey.

Retta’s family feels deeply blessed by the love she gave, the faith she shared, the skills she passed down, and the strong foundation she established. She especially treasured time spent with her family, including her five sons, four daughters-in-law, thirteen grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren, both in person and on video calls.

Retta is survived by her daughter-in-law Dawn (Ronald) Nelson; four sons: Allen (Jennifer) Nelson and their five children, Heather (Jason Ramberg) and their daughter Addie, Corbin (Brie) Paulson, Spencer (Isabella Postiglione), Isabella, and Samuel; Norman (Heidi) Nelson; Richard Nelson and his three children, Marissa (Zachary) Jesko and their two children Olivander and Olivyelle, Melana (Derik) Meyer and their two children Broden and Edsel, and Brenton (Haley); Dennis (Paulette) Nelson and their five children, Devin (Alyssa) and their four children Haley, Sophia, Caspian, and Lucy; Ashley (Philip) Cooksey and their three children Parker, Hope, and Madison; Coleman (Ayamani); Brooke (Kyle) Knepper, and Claire.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; her son, Ronald; her parents, Ivan Knight and Adeline (Weaver); her brother, Gary Knight; and her sister, Sherri Knight.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the Frederic Nursing & Rehab Center, St. Croix Regional Medical Center, Abbott Northwestern Hospital and St. Croix Hospice for the loving care provided to Retta.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation at mplsheart.org.

Last Update: Dec 29, 2025 8:04 am CST