Elizabeth Hauda (Nelson)

Elizabeth Sharon Ann Hauda (Liz), passed away peacefully on June 16, 2025, in Madison, Wisconsin. Liz was born in Helena, Montana, to Neelian and Margaret (Haesler) Nelson, February 20, 1943, and moved around a lot as a child since her dad was in the military. They lived in Alaska, near Washington DC, Ohio, and moved to Wisconsin when she was a young teenager. Liz graduated from Argyle High School with the class of 1961. She spent her life as a caregiver, trained as a nurse at Saint Mary’s Nursing School, and worked as a registered nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit at Saint Mary’s Hospital, in Madison, Wisconsin, for most of her 43-year nursing career. An avid gardener, Liz spent much of her personal time in her large garden which occupied most of her backyard growing a variety of plants, including blackberries, raspberries, rhubarb, peas, beans, grapes, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Her canned dill pickles and relish were greatly cherished by all who knew her, as were the numerous varieties of jams and jellies she would create. If you didn’t catch her in her garden or in the kitchen with her partner Doug, you would find her working on crafting projects, such as creating beautiful quilts from a variety of fabrics. Liz and Doug both enjoyed traveling as well. Liz had traveled to numerous countries including Jamaica, Zambia, Botswana, Hong Kong, China, Switzerland, Aruba, Mexico, and Finland.

Liz is survived by her three children William Hauda II (Karen), Michael Hauda, and Kathryn Erjavsek (Nathan); eight grandchildren, Naomi (David), Michael Jr. (Dora), Jordan (Cody), Jessica, Samuel, Nathaniel, Melinda, and Olivia; and three great grandchildren, Isaac, Luna, and Ava. The oldest of nine children, Liz is survived by several brothers and sisters, Marjorie Bigelow (Stan), Thad Nelson (Kathy), Betsy Efron, John Nelson, Naomi Chris Romdenne (Rick), Denise Coldagelli (Pat), and Tom Nelson (Lynn). She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and their children. Liz was preceded in death by her partner of 30 years Doug Biwersi, her parents, her brother Neil Nelson Jr., her brother-in-law Bruce Efron, and grandson Matthew Hauda.

Burial will take place at Apple Grove Cemetery, rural Argyle, Wisconsin, in a private family service.  A Life Celebration is planned for August 16, 2025. Given Liz’s life passions, donations can be made in her name to Preemie Power of Wisconsin – PPOW, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting premature babies and their families in Wisconsin at https://www.ppowi.org/ppowdonate; or Wisconsin Quilts of Valor, Group 10456, a subsidiary of Quilts of Valor, honoring our service members and veterans by providing a handmade quilt to those touched by war, https://qovf.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/qovf/donation.jsp?campaign=810&