Jacqueline Ekberg

Jacqueline Ruth Ralston was born March 5th, 1939 in Lincoln, Nebraska to Floyd and Elizabeth (Helsing) Ralston. Jacque peacefully entered the presence of the Lord July 9th, 2024 surrounded by her family. Her five daughters had the privilege of caring for her in her final days at The Towers Assisted Living in Wray, Colorado.
Jacque excelled as a student and she graduated from Orleans High School in 1956. Her step-sister, Karen Rae, attended Rocky Mountain Bible Institute in Denver, CO. On Jacque's Senior Sneak trip, her class traveled to Denver and she stopped to see her sister. Karen Rae mentioned there was a young man many of the girls were twitterpated about and she introduced Jacque to Nelson Ekberg. Jacque was determined not to be impressed by the handsome and kind young man but when she started to school there in the fall, Nelson was soon finagling with the kitchen duty schedule to be paired with Jacque. They were married in Orleans, NE on October 12th, 1957. Jacque was 18 and Nelson almost 21. Later in life, Jacque was quick to add she didn't generally recommend marrying at such a young age, but she described Nelson as the greatest blessing in her life aside from knowing Christ.
After their wedding, Nelson and Jacque settled on the family farm near Beecher Island. Jacque didn't know how to drive or cook when they married but she was a fast learner and her sisters-in-law encouraged and taught her the ropes of managing a household. It was several years later that her sister-in-law, Beulah, declared at a family dinner that she was no longer "wet behind the ears."
In the fall of 1958, Nelson and Jacque returned to RMBI for another year before moving to Riverside, CA to help start a new church. Then the pastor ran away with the piano player and Nelson could not stomach working on an assembly line for Boeing, so they returned to the family farm where they remained until 1985.
Nelson would often joke that they raised daughters and had some crops and cattle on the side. Those daughters began arriving in 1960 when they welcomed Rhoda Kathleen. Constance JaNel was born in 1962 with Karen Ann following in 1964. Laura Jean arrived in 1968. These sisters were thrilled to welcome Lisa Joy in 1976. Jacque would note that she had a child in school for almost 30 years.
In some writing, this is how Jacque summarized the 28 years on the farm: "We led pretty typical farm family lives: our days full of family, church, school, 4-H, community activities, cattle, corn and hay." People from around the world found their way to Nelson and Jacque's home where they were welcomed warmly and listened to with great care.
In 1985, Nelson and Jacque sold their share of the family farm and moved to Wray, CO. Jacque held various office jobs including directing a domestic violence program and serving as the business manager for Hospice of the Plains. She also was a secretary at Farm Bureau and in a law office.
It is impossible to separate Jacque from her faith which was core to her life. This is her testimony in her own words written in 2020:
"I grew up on a farm outside of Orleans, Nebraska with a brother and two step-siblings. Ours was a very troubled family. However, I was blessed by a godly grandmother and grandfather with whom I spent much time and who prayed for me. We also attended a very solid Evangelical Free Church. I look back and remember people who were living authentic Christian lives and I felt safe in the church. When I was somewhere around 9 or 10 there was a lady in town who had a Good News Club after school. I remember very vividly my conviction of my sin and my need to receive Christ when she presented the plan of salvation. I knelt on a linoleum floor in front of an old green sofa and asked Jesus to forgive my sin and come into my life. I recall early years of feeling so close to Him and talking to Him out loud a lot. My teen-age years were harder and I came close to ship-wrecking. But I was secure in the Father's hand even when I didn't realize it. Nelson sustained a traumatic brain injury in 1997 and things became very hard for him until his passing 16 years later. But even in the hardest of days our anchor held and I learned so much about trusting the Lord. Now, having passed eighty, I feel the words of "Amazing Grace" are truly mine. "Through many dangers, toils and snares (joys and sorrows) I have already come. Grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home."
Jacque was a loving wife and she managed Nelson's care so well behind the scenes after his accident. When Nelson came out of his coma, a nurse asked if he knew who was standing by his bed. "Well, sure! That's the girl who's always loved me." And she did. They were married for 57 years.
Jacque was an incredible, nurturing mother. Her daughters always knew how much she cherished them. She modeled many positive traits, taught them many practical skills, and sent them into the world with competence and confidence. She was known for compassion and kindness, and had a delightful sense of humor.
Jacque loved her grandchildren deeply as she shared her strengths with a new generation. She delighted in her great grandchildren as the clan continued to grow.
Jacque added wisdom and a large dose of common sense to her natural intelligence. She was an articulate woman and a gifted writer. She was grateful to be an American and was keenly interested in current events. Her grasp of the political and judicial system was amazing. Her family teased her about being a C-SPAN addict. She was thoroughly disgusted with the current mess of this election cycle and will be relieved to miss whatever happens next. Her first allegiance was to the Lord rather than a country or a political party and she prayed often for the Lord's mercy on the USA.
Jacque was a voracious reader and spent countless hours reading to her children and grandchildren.
She was also committed to truth. She would sometimes say, "Let's talk turkey here." She faced difficulties and heartache with unflinching courage and frankness because she believed the Lord would always provide the strength and help needed.
Jacque also modeled personal responsibility, integrity, and making things right with sincere apologies when she got them wrong.
Jacque was characterized by a love for the Lord. So often she and Nelson would pray about situations together. Her family benefitted always from her faithful prayers and they will miss the chance to hold her hand and hear her pray for them.
Jacque loved children and was a natural teacher. She taught Sunday School and Good News Clubs. She was well known for telling the missionary story at Beecher Island during vacation bible school for several decades.
She had a passion for justice and deep concern for the vulnerable. Global mission work was always near to Jacque's heart and she encouraged and supported many missionaries through the decades.
Jacque's grandson Logan summarized well for the whole family in a recent voice message thanking her for her life, "I'm glad you get to be with Grandpa soon. You have run your race well. I'm so proud of you. I love you."
Jacque was preceded in death by numerous loved ones, including her husband Nelson Ekberg, and brother Stevan Ralston.
She is survived by her step-brother Gary Ralston; step-sister Karen Rae Chamberlin and husband Harvey and sister-in-law Karen DeLay.
Jacque is also survived by her five daughters and their families:
Kathy Pollard and husband Mike
Daughter Anna Pollard
Daughter Ellie Pollard
Connie Murphy and husband Dennis
Step-son Scott Murphy
Step-daughter Rachel Dayton, husband Adam, and sons Kane and Lucas
Karen Ekberg
Daughter Jessica Lewis, husband Sam, and daughters Eden and Isla
Son Logan Willard, wife Elizabeth, and children Gabriel, Rebekah, and Luke
Son Austin Willard, wife Jackie, and children Hondo, Scout, and Hazel
Laurie Jones
Daughter Megan Harrel, husband Casey, and sons Jaxon, Blaine, and Hiram
Son Benjamin Jones, wife Jacqueline, children Easton and Elle
Step-daughter Heather Jones
Step-daughter Lindsey Pletcher, husband Martin, and daughter Alba
Lisa Ekberg and husband Paul Frese
She is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and many friends.
Service can be viewed online by clicking the link below: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTcyMDgyMzQxNDMxODU3OCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==