Honoring Doug's Legacy: Fire Dept & Hospice

Memorial donations will be made to the Waupaca Fire Department—where Doug was a proud lifetime member—and Treasure Coast Hospice, which provided both Doug and Sandy and their loved ones with physical, emotional, and spiritual support during their final days.

Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation. — Rumi

Douglas Karl "Doug" Nielson passed away on February 13, 2025, in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Born in Waupaca, Wisconsin, to the late Gordon and Marion (Steiger) Nielson, Doug grew up on Clarke Street alongside his parents and his brother, Gary (d. 2020). Waupaca remained a cornerstone of his heart throughout his life. He graduated from Waupaca High School in 1967.

Doug’s life took a profound turn on Christmas Day 1973 when he proposed to Sandy Schultz. They married on September 14, 1974, in Marion and built a life together in Waupaca filled with love and devotion. Together, they raised two children: Amy, who now resides in Suffolk, Virginia, with her husband Jim Womick, and Todd, who lives in Miami, Florida. Doug took immense pride in their accomplishments and cherished every moment spent together.

For 41 years, Doug worked at Filter Materials in Waupaca while also serving as a volunteer firefighter and fire inspector for 26 years. His dedication to the fire department was more than service—it was a brotherhood that he deeply cherished. Among those bonds was an unbreakable friendship with Gregg Wehmeyer—whom Doug never stopped missing after Gregg’s passing in 1992.

Doug embraced life’s simple joys with enthusiasm and gratitude. He was an avid bowler and relished a good round of cards among friends, where the camaraderie was just as important as the game itself and where Doug found an opportunity to share a favorite joke he always had at the ready. Fishing on Mirror Lake with Sandy and the kids was a favorite pastime—memories that Amy and Todd will hold dear forever. Doug and Sandy also found joy in biking together, sharing quiet rides that strengthened their bond. Woodworking became a passion that allowed him to craft meaningful pieces for those around him. A devoted sports fan, he cheered wholeheartedly for the Green Bay Packers and the Wisconsin Badgers. One of his most treasured memories was attending the legendary Ice Bowl in 1967—a story he loved to recount with pride.

In 2019, Doug and Sandy moved to Port St. Lucie, Florida, where they lived next to his sister-in-law Sherry Johnson and her husband Tim Sturges, as well as his mother-in-law Millie Schultz. Together, they became “The Gang of Five,” an inseparable group who shared countless adventures—whether watching football, exploring new places, or enjoying meals filled with laughter and love. Doug’s famous sweet tooth ensured that no gathering was complete without dessert. He and Tim seldom missed a day of “running errands” together—an outing that often included indulging in ice cream or doughnuts.

Doug’s generosity and steadfast kindness will live on in the hearts of those who knew him, including Ashley Sturges; Anne and Brad Hungerford; Abigail Serrano; friend Marlyce Wehmeyer Jueds; sister-in-law Marian Nielson; and nephews Tim Nielson and his wife Wendy and Scott Nielson and his wife Lilly

Honoring Doug’s wishes, no formal service will be held. Instead, those who knew him are invited to carry forward his memory—a cherished keepsake illuminating their lives with warmth and love. His spirit endures through the moments he shared with others—a testament to a life well-lived, marked by devotion to family and an unyielding dedication to those he held dear. He will be at peace joining his beloved Sandy, who passed on November 30, 2024.