MONROE - Paul Nelson has enjoyed working and being a part of many organizations through the years. He's enthralled with involvement, stayed heavily active in hobbies and enjoys being with family - and he's still always ready to help out wherever and whenever he can.
He was born in Stoughton and enjoyed the Norwegian community. His father had a small trucking business for which Nelson performed several jobs, including the delivery of groceries for at least 10 stores in town at the time.
Nelson said he lived just a few blocks from an abandoned gravel pit, where he recalls sledding with neighborhood children and playing "cops and robbers" and "cowboys and Indians." He had a sister who died in infancy, an event which left Nelson to be raised as an only child, he said. He spent a lot of time with a close friend and neighbor named Howard.
In high school, Nelson worked at a local print shop and for the school newspaper. He said his stature and lack of coordination kept him from most sports, but he did enjoy track and jumped hurdles for a while.
After his graduation from Stoughton High School in 1958, Nelson decided to attend Madison Business College. He was encouraged to continue school by his father, who had hoped to further his own education, but was never able. Nelson said his sights were set on either a career in graphics or business - and he decided the latter was the ticket to eventually end up in the grocery store game.
He worked part-time at a grocery store while attending school and served as an apprentice there. He said he did "anything and everything," including ordering for the store, working the service desk and soon becoming a night manager.
After his graduation from college, he worked for the familiar name "Piggly Wiggly," although the store has no connection to today's popular chain.
"It was a good gig," Nelson said of his job there.
After about a year, Nelson decided to move on and got an office position at Hoffman Chemical & Supply Company in Madison, taking charge of its accounting system. He enjoyed the work, but the small business didn't pay well, he said. He was married at that time, and the couple hoped to start a family.
Nelson said he then found a job with the Department of Revenue as an auditor. He passed the exam in 1965 and lived in Madison for three years. Nelson was eventually transferred to Monroe after he landed a field position.
He enjoyed the new surroundings and got involved almost immediately, feeling welcomed to the Swiss community. Nelson joined the Monroe Optimists a month short of being a charter member in 1969.
Although the plan was to eventually return to Madison, by the time an opportunity rolled around Nelson said his children were in school and their family was established.
"I think it's a great community," he said of Monroe. "There's a lot of activity."
He spent the final 14 years of his nearly 40-year career commuting to Janesville. He loved being a tax auditor, he said.
"There were nights you'd come home and think about putting in your resignation," Nelson said. "But then you'd get back at it and be happy to help people again. At times it was challenging, but it was very rewarding."
After he retired, he took a part-time job weighing livestock at the sale barn. He said he needed to get out of the house and even cleaned professional office buildings for a while to stay busy.
He continued his community involvement. Although he took about a decade-long break from the Optimists, he rejoined the group later and has been part of it since. He was on the original cheese curd frying committee. He's served as the secretary twice and as the club's president, even training several incoming presidents for the group. He also served as the lieutenant governor, secretary and treasurer for the club more than once. He and his wife also spent three years as the district ambassadors. Although he was given the opportunity, he declined the governor position.
"I'm not as agile as I used to be," he smiled.
Nelson has also taken a big role in the Sons of Norway, where he was a charter president for the group more than 20 years ago. He is happy to have been a part of its transition to an official lodge and said he never sought office - but was talked into it. He has served as secretary, president and a delegate at conventions.
He also found ways to give back in other roles. He was part of the volunteer tax-assistance program and took part in a radio show every other week to answer tax-related questions from callers.
One thing Nelson has enjoyed through the years is needlework. He and Howard learned embroidery one summer as children, but Nelson didn't continue it. It was when he moved to Monroe that he said he used to fall asleep in front of the television and looked for a way to stay awake. He started to latch hook and enjoyed the craft so much, he started doing needlepoint to help with a church project. From there he added counter cross-stitch to his repertoire. Recently, he started Hardanger embroidery, also called whitework embroidery, and he spends Monday afternoons in Janesville with a group.
Today, Nelson still enjoys several different forms of needlework and has completed several projects over the years for loved ones, including a map of Norway, and he's earned several awards and ribbons for his efforts.
"It keeps me out of mischief," he laughed. "It's just fun."
Many of his favorite projects are Norwegian, and he's done several landscapes. He's completed a "Jesus Loves Me" favorite for almost all of his grandchildren. He's been known to give his projects as gifts and donations to people and places special to him.
On and off through the years, Nelson has found enjoyment in bowling and was part of several state tournaments. He also enjoyed several years of bicycling and taking part in mini-marathons.
While his children grew up, Nelson took time to be a part of church activities, such as choir and council. Nelson said he also enjoyed his motorcycle for 17 years. He traveled extensively on his Harley-Davidson Goldwing and some other motorcycles, enjoying the beautiful countryside with his wife, Maren. They have been married 24 years.
"We had a lot of fun, nice trips, and we met a lot of interesting people," Nelson said.
Nelson still spends his days helping wherever he can. He volunteers at the senior center wellness desk and is a treasurer and bookkeeper for his church. He's still part of the Sons of Norway and the Optimists.
"If you're going to be in a community, then you've got to be there," Nelson said.
He and Maren enjoy spending time with their blended family, including five children, 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. They are actively involved in the Union Presbyterian Church in Monroe. They have traveled together through the years and enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains area.
Nelson lives by words that go against advice from people who tell him he needs to learn to say "no" sometimes. He said he simply enjoys doing things, being around people and making new friends.
He also said it's just a fun quote from "up north," which he finds humorous.
"Ya! Sure!" he concluded. "You betcha!"
He was born in Stoughton and enjoyed the Norwegian community. His father had a small trucking business for which Nelson performed several jobs, including the delivery of groceries for at least 10 stores in town at the time.
Nelson said he lived just a few blocks from an abandoned gravel pit, where he recalls sledding with neighborhood children and playing "cops and robbers" and "cowboys and Indians." He had a sister who died in infancy, an event which left Nelson to be raised as an only child, he said. He spent a lot of time with a close friend and neighbor named Howard.
In high school, Nelson worked at a local print shop and for the school newspaper. He said his stature and lack of coordination kept him from most sports, but he did enjoy track and jumped hurdles for a while.
After his graduation from Stoughton High School in 1958, Nelson decided to attend Madison Business College. He was encouraged to continue school by his father, who had hoped to further his own education, but was never able. Nelson said his sights were set on either a career in graphics or business - and he decided the latter was the ticket to eventually end up in the grocery store game.
He worked part-time at a grocery store while attending school and served as an apprentice there. He said he did "anything and everything," including ordering for the store, working the service desk and soon becoming a night manager.
After his graduation from college, he worked for the familiar name "Piggly Wiggly," although the store has no connection to today's popular chain.
"It was a good gig," Nelson said of his job there.
After about a year, Nelson decided to move on and got an office position at Hoffman Chemical & Supply Company in Madison, taking charge of its accounting system. He enjoyed the work, but the small business didn't pay well, he said. He was married at that time, and the couple hoped to start a family.
Nelson said he then found a job with the Department of Revenue as an auditor. He passed the exam in 1965 and lived in Madison for three years. Nelson was eventually transferred to Monroe after he landed a field position.
He enjoyed the new surroundings and got involved almost immediately, feeling welcomed to the Swiss community. Nelson joined the Monroe Optimists a month short of being a charter member in 1969.
Although the plan was to eventually return to Madison, by the time an opportunity rolled around Nelson said his children were in school and their family was established.
"I think it's a great community," he said of Monroe. "There's a lot of activity."
He spent the final 14 years of his nearly 40-year career commuting to Janesville. He loved being a tax auditor, he said.
"There were nights you'd come home and think about putting in your resignation," Nelson said. "But then you'd get back at it and be happy to help people again. At times it was challenging, but it was very rewarding."
After he retired, he took a part-time job weighing livestock at the sale barn. He said he needed to get out of the house and even cleaned professional office buildings for a while to stay busy.
He continued his community involvement. Although he took about a decade-long break from the Optimists, he rejoined the group later and has been part of it since. He was on the original cheese curd frying committee. He's served as the secretary twice and as the club's president, even training several incoming presidents for the group. He also served as the lieutenant governor, secretary and treasurer for the club more than once. He and his wife also spent three years as the district ambassadors. Although he was given the opportunity, he declined the governor position.
"I'm not as agile as I used to be," he smiled.
Nelson has also taken a big role in the Sons of Norway, where he was a charter president for the group more than 20 years ago. He is happy to have been a part of its transition to an official lodge and said he never sought office - but was talked into it. He has served as secretary, president and a delegate at conventions.
He also found ways to give back in other roles. He was part of the volunteer tax-assistance program and took part in a radio show every other week to answer tax-related questions from callers.
One thing Nelson has enjoyed through the years is needlework. He and Howard learned embroidery one summer as children, but Nelson didn't continue it. It was when he moved to Monroe that he said he used to fall asleep in front of the television and looked for a way to stay awake. He started to latch hook and enjoyed the craft so much, he started doing needlepoint to help with a church project. From there he added counter cross-stitch to his repertoire. Recently, he started Hardanger embroidery, also called whitework embroidery, and he spends Monday afternoons in Janesville with a group.
Today, Nelson still enjoys several different forms of needlework and has completed several projects over the years for loved ones, including a map of Norway, and he's earned several awards and ribbons for his efforts.
"It keeps me out of mischief," he laughed. "It's just fun."
Many of his favorite projects are Norwegian, and he's done several landscapes. He's completed a "Jesus Loves Me" favorite for almost all of his grandchildren. He's been known to give his projects as gifts and donations to people and places special to him.
On and off through the years, Nelson has found enjoyment in bowling and was part of several state tournaments. He also enjoyed several years of bicycling and taking part in mini-marathons.
While his children grew up, Nelson took time to be a part of church activities, such as choir and council. Nelson said he also enjoyed his motorcycle for 17 years. He traveled extensively on his Harley-Davidson Goldwing and some other motorcycles, enjoying the beautiful countryside with his wife, Maren. They have been married 24 years.
"We had a lot of fun, nice trips, and we met a lot of interesting people," Nelson said.
Nelson still spends his days helping wherever he can. He volunteers at the senior center wellness desk and is a treasurer and bookkeeper for his church. He's still part of the Sons of Norway and the Optimists.
"If you're going to be in a community, then you've got to be there," Nelson said.
He and Maren enjoy spending time with their blended family, including five children, 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. They are actively involved in the Union Presbyterian Church in Monroe. They have traveled together through the years and enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains area.
Nelson lives by words that go against advice from people who tell him he needs to learn to say "no" sometimes. He said he simply enjoys doing things, being around people and making new friends.
He also said it's just a fun quote from "up north," which he finds humorous.
"Ya! Sure!" he concluded. "You betcha!"