Stuart T. Nesbit

Stuart Todd Nesbit, 68, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on July 6, 2026, at his and Kathy’s home on Lake Wissota, WI after battling his extremely rare Erdheim-Chester blood cancer with courage and great faith in God for seven years.

Stuart, son of Rolland and Joan Nesbit, was born on March 28, 1958, in Madison, Wisconsin. His family moved to Eau Claire, WI in 1961, where Stuart grew up and graduated from North High School before becoming an electrician. He later went back to college, graduated, and became a substation electrician, working for five years for Dairyland Power and then working the rest of his career for Xcel Energy before being forced to stop working at 61, three months before his retirement due to his cancer diagnosis. He battled his cancer with courage and great faith in God for seven years, never losing his sweet spirit or his bright smile, even in the midst of much suffering and many struggles. His friends and family marveled at his positive attitude and ability to rise above his cancer. He loved the Lord and started every morning by listening to an online Bible study for over 25 years. He was active in Kathy’s and his church for many years, including a weekly Wednesday evening Bible study.

Stuart had a son, Bill Nesbit, from a previous marriage as well as a granddaughter, Raale. Stuart later married the love of his life, Kathy Wenell on August 20,1994. Stuart and Kathy were soulmates and best friends for 32 years and loved being together, whether it be at their lake home or traveling through the US or foreign countries. Their motto became “Keep living life!” and they traveled extensively to complete his bucket list destinations, including Israel, Normandy, and England, and even through Iceland and Switzerland while using a wheelchair. They also traveled to opposite ends of the world, from Australia, New Zealand, Ecuador, Peru, and Panama, to Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Fiji, American Samoa, all of the USA states and every one of the 63 National Parks as well as many of the Caribbean Islands. They wintered on Kauai for many years and developed close “Ohana” relationships with friends and their church family there.

Stuart loved traveling with Kathy, but his biggest passions were hunting, fishing, and trapping. He loved the outdoors and fished halibut in Alaska every year, sometimes with nieces and nephews and other family members. He enjoyed big game hunting and could tell you all the details of every hunt, and he humbly displayed all his trophies throughout their home. While he was still healthy, he could be found fishing walleye off the dock or throwing a musky bait from his boat in search of the big one. He and Kathy loved the water, especially enjoying evenings on their pontoon together.

Stuart dearly loved children and was excited every time they would receive a letter from one of the Compassion International children they sponsored in Ecuador. He always looked forward to his great-nieces’ and nephews’ visits, playing board games and croquet with them, as well as fishing, boating, biking, hunting and most importantly sharing his faith with them. He was a prayer warrior for them as well as for so many.

He had a heart for children and often said he had nothing to complain about when he would see a sick child at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Stuart was dearly loved by all of his family and friends, as well as by the many St. Croix Hospice “friends” that he made over the past nine months. Stuart and Kathy were very blessed to have such a special Hospice team – they were a huge help to Kathy in making it possible to give Stuart his wish of staying at home until he passed.
Additionally, Dr. Go, Dr. Okuno, and Dr. Dubey were a fantastic team of Rochester Mayo Clinic doctors who led them through this very difficult journey with compassion and understanding.

Stuart is survived by his loving wife Kathy who will deeply miss him. He is also survived by his son Bill and granddaughter Raale, brother Steve Nesbit (Pam), sister Stacey Moen (Jon), brother Stan Nesbit (Joni), along with a special sister-in-law Cindy Wenell and so many wonderful nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and other relatives. He is also survived by a group of special friends who were like family to him, including a special family friend, Alexis, who was a great help to him and Kathy in recent months.

Visitation is 5 -7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 17, at Hulke Family Funeral Home and the Memorial Service is at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, at Bethesda Lutheran Church, with the doors open for viewing at 12 noon. Pastor Tom Iannucci, from Kauai, Hawaii, will be officiating. Both the visitation and memorial service are in Eau Claire, WI. Memorials will be given to Chippewa Falls St. Croix Hospice, Breath of Life Church in Kauai, HI, and Erdheim-Chester research.

Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Eau Claire is serving the family.

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