Joanne Marie Nelsen

Joanne Marie Nelsen, 71, of Casper, Wyoming, passed away unexpectedly on July 7, 2025. Known affectionately as Jo, or to many as JoJo (she always disliked her full name, Joanne), she was born on June 13, 1954, in Shakopee, Minnesota.

A Life of Laughter and Hard Work
Jo grew up in a large family with eight siblings in a small, two-bedroom house on Walnut Avenue in Savage, Minnesota. She often shared humorous stories about her childhood, including how her mother would scold her and her siblings for charging candy at the local "five and dime" store to her mother’s account.

In her mid-teens, Jo met James (Jim) Robert Nelsen. They "ran away together" and married on December 1, 1972. Their daughter, Brenda Lou (Nelsen) Dick, was born on January 18, 1972. Early in their marriage, they lived in a modest Wisconsin farmhouse with only a kitchen sink for indoor plumbing—the bathroom was an outhouse! A couple of years later, they moved into a small trailer. During this time, Jo worked at a feather factory and would famously get her hair "set" into an elaborate up-do every week at the beauty salon, often laughing about how carefully she had to sleep to avoid messing it up.

Wyoming Adventures and Lifelong Bonds
In 1978, Jim, Jo, and Brenda moved to Jeffrey City, Wyoming, after Jim secured a job at Western Nuclear. Jo found work at the local grocery store, Family Farm. Jeffrey City became a place of deep connections, where friends became family (the Ekstroms) and forged lifelong friendships (the Kirks). Jo loved recalling the lively parties they hosted, like the time a water hose was brought inside, drenching everyone and leaving an inch of water in the kitchen! They also spent many memorable years camping and hunting on Green Mountain, just outside of Jeffrey City.

The family moved to Hanna, Wyoming, in 1981 when Jim took a job at Carbon County Coal Company. Jo worked briefly at the local 7-Eleven before joining Jim at Carbon County Coal, working in the lamp room. When the mine closed in 1986, they relocated to Cowley, Wyoming, where Jim worked for Georgia-Pacific. Jo found employment cleaning rooms at the Western Motel. Their time in Cowley was particularly memorable, as they lived in a small farmhouse, cultivating a vast garden and raising hogs and chickens.

In 1988, the family returned to Hanna, Wyoming, after the coal mine reopened as Cyprus Shoshone Coal Company, and both Jim and Jo were rehired. Jo made a name for herself working underground as a miner, a role few women held at the time. Her coworkers universally respected her, describing her as a "workhorse" who wasn't afraid to speak her mind if someone wasn't pulling their weight.

Retirement and Enduring Spirit
In 1998, Jim and Jo moved to Craig, Colorado, where they worked for Twentymile Coal Company until their retirement in 2007. They then settled in Hudson, Wyoming. Jo, always active and unable to sit still, briefly worked in the kitchen at NOLS in Lander, Wyoming, before finally embracing retirement. In Hudson, she quickly developed many friendships, including with members of the Svilar family, whom she generously helped for several years by making their famous raviolis in their kitchen.

Jim passed away from cancer in December 2018. In 2021, Jo sold their house and moved to Casper, Wyoming.

A Legacy of Love and Friendship
Jo's work ethic was unparalleled, whether in the challenging environment of the coal mine or in her own home. She was known for single-handedly maintaining the yard, painting the house (inside and out), climbing on the roof to put up Christmas lights, and rearranging furniture—often to the delightful surprise of friends and family who never knew how her living room would look on their next visit!

Jo never met a stranger and easily forged lasting friendships wherever she went. She was known for her acts of kindness: bringing baked goods to doctor's office staff, inviting neighbors for dinner, making daily hospital visits to sick friends, driving friends to appointments, and helping anyone with anything at any time. Jo's friendly smile and light-hearted demeanor were infectious. She also enjoyed a drink or two and rarely turned down an opportunity to "party." She had many "grandchildren" (by love, not blood) throughout her life, often hosting sleepovers filled with games and crafts.

Jo shared a special bond with her mother and siblings, maintaining regular visits no matter where she lived. In her final years, she developed a keen interest in local and national politics, proudly displaying her views with bumper stickers, hats, flags, and t-shirts. Her daughter, Brenda, was the absolute light of her life, and they shared a very close relationship. Jo also cherished her son-in-law, Scott, and all her "grand-dogs”.

Family and Remembrance
Jo is survived by her daughter Brenda (Scott) Dick of Windsor, Colorado; brothers Eugene Pickus, Vernon (Sue) Pickus, Darrell (Barbara) Pickus; and sisters Bonnie Jeurissen, Irene (Mike) LeMieux, Sandra Pickus, and Brenda Pickus, all of Minnesota. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her husband Jim Nelsen, parents Gordon and Virginia Pickus, and her brother Henry Pickus.

In accordance with Jo's wishes, no services will be held. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation to a charity or organization of your choice in Jo’s honor.

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