Kenneth Nelson

Kenneth “Ken” Anton Nelson, 63, of Pleasant Prairie, WI, passed away peacefully at his home on June 30, 2026, after a courageous battle with Glioblastoma Multiforme brain cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family. Ken was born on May 26, 1963, in Waukegan, IL to Edwin and Betty Nelson and was a longtime resident of Waukegan before moving to Pleasant Prairie, WI in 2002.

Ken earned a Bachelor of Science degree in BioChemistry from Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL. He met the love of his life, Cathy, at Six Flags Great America in 1989 where they both worked during college summers. They married on October 8, 1994 and have two wonderful children, Josh & Maggie. Ken retired from Abbott Laboratories/Abbvie in 2021 after 29 years of service. 

Ken had a passion for travel, exploration and the great outdoors. He enjoyed camping with his family and traveling to different states, including trips to Massachusetts and Arizona. His biggest passion was his children. He attended all their sporting events, cheering and videotaping from the sidelines, as well as their many music events, such as concerts, parades, and marching events. Ken’s dry sense of humor and quick wit endeared him not only to his family, but his friends as well. He had an uncanny ability to bring smiles and laughter to any room he entered. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Cathy (Skoff) Nelson of Pleasant Prairie, WI, his son Josh of Fitchburg, WI and his daughter Maggie of Pleasant Prairie, WI. Ken is also survived by his dear mother, Betty, and siblings: Chuck (Julie) Nelson, Marie Nelson (Sam Smith), Carl Nelson, and Amy Nelson. He also leaves his in-laws Judy Skoff, Tom (Stacey) Skoff, and Stacey Harris, as well as many nieces, nephews, and great nieces. He was preceded in death by his father, Edwin Nelson, and father in-law, Dennis Skoff. 

A visitation will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026 at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Rd Zion, IL, starting at 4:00 p.m. until the time of service at 7:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, August 1, 2026, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Please email suzannemb2026@gmail.com for complete details if you would like to attend. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to Wounded Warrior Project - support.woundedwarrierproject.org or NorthShore Hospitals Foundation - endeavorhealth.org/donate NorthShore (select Endeavor Health Neurosciences Institute from the drop down menu on the website or select “other” and write in Glioblastoma research). You may also mail in a donation to NorthShore Hospitals Foundation, Endeavor Health Neurosciences Institute at 1001 University Place, Suite 248, Evanston, IL 60201.