Cary W. Nelsen

Cary W. Nelsen of DeKalb passed away on July 7, 2026. She was 70. Cary was born on February 11, 1956 to Ivan and Mavis Williams, she was the oldest of four children.

Cary married Roger Nelsen in 1976. While they were in the same high school class in DeKalb, they didn’t get to know each other until they both went to Augustana College. They quickly fell in love and married after their sophomore year. After college, they returned to the DeKalb area and raised their family on a farmette in Clare. Their two children, Ashley and Wesley, were born there and Cary’s love of animals led to the five acres developing into a menagerie of horses, goats, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, birds, fish, you name it. Horses were her passion and their children learned to ride and show. Riding and driving horses in the annual Sharon Wisconsin Christmas parade was a favorite event.

Cary earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Ministry from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, another bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois and a Master’s degree in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. She continued her education and received a certificate to teach elementary education.

She taught music, fifth grade, sixth grade and second grade in the Elgin School District for 32 years. She touched the lives of literally hundreds of children over the years and she enjoyed running into them around town years later and learning about their lives and the families they had raised. In addition to school music, her love of music and children continued as she directed children’s choirs at the Methodist Church and First Congregational Church in DeKalb. She directed many children’s Christmas pageants at the churches and also directed the hand bell choir at the Methodist Church.

After retiring from teaching, she began a second career as a Realtor. She loved helping young couples find their first home as well as other homebuyers and sellers start a new chapter in their lives. At 60 years old, she and Roger moved off the farm and bought a 1905 fixer upper in DeKalb and renovated it into their Dream Home. This labor of love has been a joy the last ten years. This work filled her post-retirement life along with spending time with her grandchildren. She dearly loved her children and grandchildren and saw it as her mission to mold them into strong, responsible citizens. Special, overnight trips planned each summer with her grandchildren to fun places around the area were especially fun.

She loved to volunteer at the Egyptian Theater. The theater holds a special place in her heart and she enjoyed being a small part of its success. She also volunteered at Rooted for Good in Genoa.

She is survived by her husband of almost 50 years, Roger, two children, Ashley Phillips (Robert) of Compton, IL and Wesley Nelsen (Alison) of Genoa, IL., six grandchildren, Lydia, Avery, Griffin and Harrison Nelsen of Genoa, IL and Charley and Hank Phillips of Compton, IL; sisters, Ivy Heazeltine (Paul) of Indianapolis, Emily Farley (Jim) of Downers Grove and a brother, Tracy Williams (Lisa) of DeKalb.

She was predeceased by her parents, Ivan and Mavis Williams of DeKalb, IL.

Memorial visitation will be held on Sunday, July 19, 2026, from 2:00pm-4:00pm at Finch Funeral Home in DeKalb. Memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at 4:00pm at the funeral home. Memorials can be made to the family to be established at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL 60115 815-758-3841.