Janet Adele “Nina” Bley was born on July 30, 1927 in Port Washington, Wisconsin.

The second of Henry and Ella Bley’s five children, she grew up in the town of Belgium Wisconsin, attending St. Mary’s grade school, where she became childhood friends with her future husband, Walter. 

Throughout her life, Nina cherished her siblings, James Bley (Marjorie Bley), deceased; Henry “Skip” Bley deceased (Nancy Bley); Jacklyn “Mickey” Schoonover (Wershel ‘Clyde’ Schoonover), deceased; and Joanne Maggio.

Nina attended Port Washington High School, and graduated from LeClerc College for Women in Belleville, Illinois with a degree in Biology.  Nina went on to complete a nursing degree at the Medical College of Wisconsin.  She married Walter Wellenstein Jr. on November 11, 1948.

Nina and Walter had five children---Walter Richard “Rick” Wellenstein, married to Sally Wellenstein; Charles Wellenstein, married to Andrea Strizich; Michael Wellenstein, married to Cori Wellenstein; Bart Wellenstein, married to Sarah “Sally” Zentner-Wellenstein; and Anna Wellenstein, married to Arash Sotoodehnia. She delighted in her 13 grandchildren (Nicholas (Lindsey), Russel (Megan), Anders, Lucca, Gabriel, Ethan, Heidi, Gretta, Hailey, Benjamin, Clare, Theo and Nicolas) and four great-grandchildren (Olivia, Ella, Walter and Grant). She also had many nieces and nephews who counted her as a second mother.    

She started her professional life as a nurse at the veterans’ hospital in Milwaukee.  While she and Walter raised five children, Nina began a second career in real estate development, leading greenfield residential projects, including an independent living facility, Bulter Square, where she was proud to provide an engaging and dignified living environment for the elderly. Well into her late eighties, Nina could be found at Butler Square tending to the building and even more to the needs and spirit of those who lived there.

Nina was deeply spiritual, curious, and engaged in life. She learned and taught sailing, she gave her time and effort to politicians she believed in, to name only a few of her passions.  She was a devout catholic yet found meaning in exploring other faiths. She lived her values, approaching the world with an open heart and unbridled generosity. She met people wherever she went, making friends quickly. Over the years, she welcomed countless people into her ever-expanding brood. She had a way of seeing every individual’s potential, especially when they couldn’t see it themselves.

Whether on a plane, in a waiting room, or at the gas station, Nina delighted in the sheer diversity of humanity. She loved people, and people loved her back. She was not afraid to be different, and she wasn’t afraid of people who were different. She also had an excellent, mischievous sense of humor.

Nina lived life fully, held her faith strongly, and embraced everyone she met. She will be missed, and her example will continue, living within all those she touched throughout her long life.