Jacquelyn M. Nelson

Jacquelyn Jean Miller Nelson, age 59, passed away on September 16, 2021 after a battle with breast cancer. Jacque was married to Lance Cyle Nelson for 28 wonderful years. She was a beloved mother to five children: Michaela, Haakon (Hannah), Ariana (Austin) Frueh, Logan, and Caden. She was sister to Kathryn (Don) Goad, Jeffrey (Lori) Miller, and Jonathan (Kelley) Miller, and was aunt to many nieces and nephews. She was the daughter of Robert B. Miller, who preceded her in death, and Barbara J. Miller.

Jacque was born on August 30, 1962 in Linton, Indiana, the third of four children. Jacque grew up on the family farm in Jasonville, Indiana. She was a gifted student, graduating as valedictorian at Shakamak High School. She participated in 4-H and FFA, showing a variety of animals over the years. Jacque was also gifted in music. She sang beautifully and played the trombone and piano.

Jacque graduated Summa Cum Laude from Indiana State University in 1984 with a degree in Math Education and a minor in Computer Science. Feeling called into the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ (now known as Cru), she soon joined the ministry full-time. As part of her role with Cru, she served in New York and Southern California for several years. She then moved to the Cru headquarters in Orlando, Florida in 1991. On the airplane to Orlando, Jacque met the man who would become her husband. Jacque and Lance were married on May 22, 1993. They lived in Florida where they had their first three children. In 1999 they moved to Ohio to join the sports ministry of Cru, Athletes in Action. While living in Ohio, they were blessed with two more children. Jacque remained with Cru for 37 years, serving in a variety of roles, her most recent being assistant to the HR Director at AIA. She also served as a high school teacher at Legacy Christian Academy for two years.

Jacque was deeply committed to her family. She patiently invested many years into homeschooling her children through their early education, and she supported them when they transitioned to Legacy Christian Academy. She was always her kids' biggest cheerleader and a constant support in their lives. Jacque loved spending her evenings watching her children compete in sports. But if she wasn't at a game or meet, she was most likely reading books, spending time with friends, shopping, or homemaking.

Jacque was a generous, wise, and loving woman who sacrificed daily for her family. Every evening, she delighted in sharing conversations with her husband and children over dinner. She admired their unique gifts, talents, and traits and was so proud of each of them. Anyone who has spent time with Jacque will know that while she seemed quiet and reserved at first, she cared deeply for the people in her life. She listened to them, asked them questions, and never claimed the spotlight for herself. Jacque had a beautiful smile and when she welcomed you with it, you felt like you were home.

Jacque was a woman of God and faithfully pursued her Lord. She spent time in prayer and in reading Scripture, which shaped her character. She cherished God's Word. She trusted His sovereign plan, even when it didn't seem to make sense from an earthly perspective. Jacque was confident of her eternal destiny in Christ, knowing that she was saved by grace. She yearned with the psalmist, "that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD."

In celebration of Jacque's life, a visitation will be held from 4-6PM with service to follow at 6PM on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at Apex Community Church (5200 Far Hills Avenue, Kettering, OH 45429). The burial will be held at 10AM on Thursday, September 23, 2021 at New Burlington Cemetery in Wilmington, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a charitable donation in honor of Jacque's life, please go to give.cru.org and search for 0359081, then select "Give a Gift." Donations to this account will no longer go to Jacque's family but will instead be designated for other needs within the ministry of Cru.