Jacqueline "Jackie" Ann (Ellis) Nelson died peacefully on November 19, 2024 at 71 years of age.  She was born on May 1, 1953 in Viborg, SD to Kennard and LuVern (Johnson) Ellis.

Jackie attended Rose Cottage Country School through the 8th Grade.  After 8th grade, she attended Centerville High School where she graduated in 1971.  While in high school, she met the love of her life, Wayne Nelson.  The two were united in marriage on September 6, 1975.  To this union, three children were born Mandy, Joshua & Abbey.

As a young child, Jackie enjoyed the Ellis farm, 4-H, and traveling anywhere with her dad.

After graduation, Jackie went to work at a sewing factory in Hurley. She worked at Spitznagel before returning to Centerville to work at Fireball Industries. After a short time, Jackie began her 37-year career at First Midwest Bank, now One American Bank, in Centerville. In 1986, she received her real estate broker's license and worked with Thomson Real Estate Agency.  Throughout her banking career, Jackie made many memories and several friends.  She enjoyed selling houses in and around the community she loved.

As a life-long Centerville resident, Jackie took great pride in the community. She held many positions within various organizations.  She enjoyed preserving the history of Centerville through the Centennial and 125th Anniversary of town.  Jackie enthusiastically initiated a Rose Cottage Country School Reunion, as well.

Jackie was a life-long member of the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Centerville. She spent numerous hours helping the church and the renovation project.

Jackie was always up for a good time or adventure. She liked pheasant hunting, skating and sledding behind Jane's house with the kids, and attending and supporting all the events her children participated in, from sports to after-prom parties.  Jackie enjoyed traveling with Wayne and children every summer whether it be with 7 other family members in a Chevy Citation to California, camping under a truck topper in Yellowstone, or driving with the kids to North Carolina and Washington, DC.  As a couple, Wayne and Jackie traveled all over with close friends to create memories. One of these trips to the Clay County Fair, Jackie entered the Iowa State Fair Cow Pie Throwing contest. She threw the cow pie so far, she ended up earning the Iowa State Record!

Jackie was always up for a bus trip or weekend trip with her sisters and close friends. These trips involved skiing, birthday parties, musicals, family-style dining for the first time in an Italian basement, and bowling in Reno.

In her later years, Jackie enjoyed spending time working in her lawn and landscaping.  In 2017, Jackie was able to tag her first buck in Gregory County.  Jackie took great-pride in her 7 grandchildren.  In the short-time, she was able to create many memories.

She will be remembered for her quick wit, one liners, contagious laugh, and her easy-going personality.

Jackie succumbed to complications surrounding Alzheimer's in the Centerville Care and Rehab Center in Centerville.

We want to extend our sincere thank you to the staff at Centerville Care and Rehab.  Their love and compassion for Jackie was above and beyond.  We are forever grateful.

Jackie is survived by her husband, Wayne, of 49 years; her children Mandy (Derek) Juneau of Sioux Falls, Joshua (Lisa) Nelson of Lennox, Abbey Rotter of Centerville; her grandchildren Brody Juneau, Maria, Scout and Paige Nelson and Thomas, Henry and Fiona Rotter; her siblings Lynn (Marge) Ellis, Jean (Paul) Peterson, Jane Knutson, Jill (Mike) Kjose;  her in-laws Barb (Guy) Lopez, Daryl Rossow, Mary Lou Nelson, Cindy Obeslo and Tom Ross; numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and close friends.

She is proceeded in death by her parents, father & mother-in-law, Marvin and Cora Nelson, brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Karen Ellis, brother-in-laws, Roger Knutson and Mark Obeslo, sister-in-laws Dianna Rossow and Lori Ross.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jackie's memory to Centerville Area Foundation, Good Shephard Catholic Church Building Fund, or Centerville Care Rehab Activities Department.