Mark Nelson DVM

Mark Robert Nelson, DVM, of Centuria passed away quietly on Sunday, August 3, 2025, after a 2-year battle with amyloidosis. He was 77 years old.

Mark was born in Minneapolis to Dorothy and Harold Nelson. He grew up in St. Louis Park, MN. Thanks to his high school biology teacher, Mark was introduced to veterinary medicine as a potential career and he never looked back. He attended and graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 1972. He married Jolayne (Joey) Sontag in 1969.

He had a passion for animals even though growing up his only pet was a white rat. His later life was full of many pet dogs and cats as well as various cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and ferrets.

Mark started his veterinary career working in Milltown and built Interstate Veterinary Hospital in Centuria in 1975. When he started practicing, his work in Western Wisconsin consisted of 80% dairy and 20% small animal but he felt the area was changing so he built the vet hospital with those changes in mind. And he was right because 50 years later the percentages of large and small animal work have reversed. He regretfully retired and sold the practice in 2017.

In addition to veterinary medicine, he loved the outdoors and all that comes with it whether it was hunting, fishing, scuba diving, trail riding, or working on his farm.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy and Harry Nelson, and numerous animal pets through the years.

He is survived by Joey, his wife of 55 years; son Matt (Jennifer); daughter Sara (Alex Perfetti); grandchildren Tony and Joe Perfetti, and Evie and Dax Nelson; and beloved furry friends Tracker, Bullet, Pickle, Tiger, Gracie, and Luna.

A Celebration of Life for Mark will be held at Joy Lutheran Church on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 2:00 PM. Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM.  Please join the family for lunch and continued fellowship and visitation following the service in the church fellowship hall.

Memorials preferred to North Valley Lutheran Church, Centuria, or Arnell Humane Society, Amery.