Jacque Miller, a loved wife, mother, sister and daughter unexpectedly passed away on Nov. 23, after emergency cardiac surgery.
Jacque was born December 10, 1953, in Alliance, Nebraska. She grew up in Vale, South Dakota, on a dairy farm. She attended Newell High School (Go Gators!) and then attended Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, where she received her bachelor’s in home economics. Later she received her master’s in counseling at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. Her first job was as an Extension Agent with 4-H in Russell, Kansas. She continued to advance her education and recently finished the Blue Mesa Transformation Coaching Program in Fort Collins.
Jacque married David Leland Miller on July 25, 1981. They met at camp Quaker Haven when Dave gave Jacque, a life guard at the time, a pair of sunglasses. They reconnected years later at church in 1979. After marrying, they lived in Topeka, Kansas, and their first daughter, Tabitha, was born in 1985. In 1989 their second daughter, Teresa, was born. That same year the family moved to Alamosa. Jacque’s career then brought the family to Fort Collins in 1999 where they have been living since.
Jacque adored her family and loved spending time with them. She was often heard saying how proud she was of her daughters. She attended Timberline Church, enjoyed decorating her house for every holiday, spending time with family and friends, scrapbooking, and doing water aerobics with her friend Elaine. Jacque’s spirit was patient, gentle, and compassionate.
Jacque loved her community and was continually helping everyone she came into contact with. Her passion was shown through Family Leadership Training Institute which she directed in her position as an Extension Family Consumer Science Agent. She also worked as an Extension Community Development Specialist.
She is survived by her husband, David, and daughters, Tabitha and Teresa, of the home; her father, Harold Sulzbach (Spearfish, SD), her sisters, Sandi Stricker (Russell, KS) and Michelle Sulzbach (Deadwood, SD), her brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Terry Sulzbach (Cleveland TN); brothers and sisters-in-law, Fred and Marvia Miller (Colby, KS), Grady and Carole Miller (Independence, KS), Ruth E. Kemper (Wichita, KS), her mother-in-law, Ruth Miller (Hutchinson, KS); along with numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She is preceded in death by her mother, Lois Sulzbach, her father-in-law, Alfred Miller, and her niece, Kristin Rathbun.
Jacque’s life was celebrated Tuesday Dec. 2, at Timberline Church. Per Jacque’s wishes, cremation was chosen. In lieu of flowers, the family is accepting contributions through Give Forward for funeral costs and medical bills. Contributions can also be made to Jacque’s passion of helping her community by donating to Larimer Family Leadership Training Institute or Colorado State University Extension Home Economics Professional Development Fund. Checks can be sent to Larimer FLTI, Larimer County Extension Office, 1525 Blue Spruce Dr., Fort Collins CO 80524.
