Jennifer Nelson

***To watch the recorded service, click here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ny0s1ssqyiidimq/Jenny%20Nelson%20Service.mp4?dl=0 Jennifer Jo Nelson, age 50, of Cedar Falls Iowa entered into eternal life with Jesus Christ on June 21, 2023, after a fearless (2 Timothy 1:7) battle against aggressive signet cell colon cancer. Jenny was born on April 20, 1973, to Keith and Louise Sandvold in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Jenny graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1991. She was a part of the Cedar Falls girls basketball state championship team. Jenny went on to play basketball at Kirkwood Community College for two years, and then the University of Oregon for one year. Jenny then finished her college degree at St. Ambrose University, graduating in 1995. Jenny then took a position as a graduate assistant coach with the University of Northern Women’s basketball team for two years. Jenny then continued on to work as an adjunct professor at the University of Northern Iowa, the assistant director of children’s ministry at Nazareth Lutheran Church, the director of discipleship at Nazareth Lutheran church, the manager of Hurts Donuts, and most recently the executive director of Love INC. In 1993, Jenny met her husband Brad Nelson at the University of Oregon. Brad infamously followed Jenny back to Iowa in 1994, where they were then married on August 10th, 1996, at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls. Brad and Jenny had their daughter Bailey in 1997, twin sons Jacob and Brandon in 1999, and son Jordan in 2004. The pride and joy of Jenny’s life were her four kids. Jenny was the most selfless, fun-loving, and Christ serving parent to her beloved children. Jenny was beloved throughout the Cedar Valley community for her involvement in many areas. Jenny served for years in children’s ministry, including her cherished times of helping to put on vacation bible school. Jenny was a beloved supporter of the UNI women’s basketball program for which her husband Brad has been an assistant coach the past 23 years. Jenny put on a team pre-game bible study for many years, traveled to countless away games and conference tournaments, and could be heard yelling at the refs during every game that she attended; even as she battled the cancer. Jenny’s most recent role at Love INC allowed her to work with Cedar Valley churches to meet the needs of people in the Cedar Valley. Throughout Jenny’s entire cancer journey, she did not stop working at Love INC to serve others in the community; her servant hearted nature shone through always even when she was physically battling for her life. Jenny was predeceased by her mother, Louise Sandvold, her grandparents, Dave and Noreen Sandvold and Robert and Dorothy Lewis, and her brother-in-law, Kirk Nelson. She is survived by her husband Brad Nelson, children Bailey (Nick) Stewart, Jacob (Adelyn) Nelson, Brandon Nelson, and Jordan Nelson, her grandson, Carson Stewart, her father, Keith Sandvold, her father and mother-in-law, Marv and Emilou Nelson, her sister, Jessie (Matt) Switzer, her brother, Jeff (Amy) Sandvold, her brother-in-law Marv (Sandy) Nelson, and her nieces and nephews, Houston, Andrew, Anna, Lauren, Cameron, Claire, Cadia, Cohen, Tyler (Erika), Meghan, Cameron (Avery), Kira, and Drew. The most important part of Jenny’s life was her faith. She loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with all of her heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). Jenny embodied the command of Christ to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19); countless lives were impacted by her servant hearted love for Jesus as she boldly shared her faith with all that she encountered. Jenny gave her heart to Jesus in college, declaring with her mouth that Jesus is Lord and believing in her heart that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9), and we know that she is now joyfully in the presence of Jesus for all of eternity. We take heart knowing that Jenny heard and rejoiced in the words “well done good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23) when she met Jesus face to face. Memorial services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 6, 2023, at Prairie Lakes Church in Cedar Falls. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service and will continue after the service. Memorials may be directed to the family or to Love INC in Jenny's name.

Jennifer Nelson

April 20, 1973 - June 21, 2023