Lisa Renee Nelson

Lisa Nelson Memorial Scholarship,

c/o Chase Bank, 8015 Kipling St., Arvada, Colorado 80004 or www.lisanelsonmemorial.org.

Lisa Renee Nelson, 43 passed away March 3, 2013. She was born January 31, 1970 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Denver, the daughter of Larry & Gayle (Lindert) Schamp, who survive her. She is also survived by her husband, Paul Nelson; son, Tyler Nelson and daughter, Whitney Nelson; brother, Randall (Barbara) Schamp and their children, Josie & Mariah Schamp; brother, Scott (Sandi) Schamp and their son, Stephen Schamp. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Kristine Nelson and her daughter, Hannah Wynne as well as her father-in-law, Byron Nelson.

Lisa attended Emmaus Lutheran Church and School from kindergarten through the eighth grade. She then attended Mandalay Middle School for Ninth grade. At Pomona High School she played varsity volleyball and varsity basketball in grades ten, eleven and twelve. Lisa was named to the all-state basketball team in 1988. After graduation (88), Lisa attended Adams State College for two years on a basketball scholarship. She then attended Metro State College also on a basketball scholarship and graduated in 1995. In December of 2004, she obtained her master’s degree from the University of Phoenix.

Lisa and Paul were married on June 19, 1993 at Peace Lutheran Church. They have been blessed with two wonderful children; Tyler who is currently enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and Whitney, who is a senior at Ralston Valley High School. Lisa began her teaching and coaching career at Alameda High School where she taught physical education and coached basketball, volleyball and track. When Ralston Valley High School opened its doors in 2000, Lisa, who taught physical education at Moore Middle School, was hired as Ralston Valley’s head volleyball coach. The next school year she was hired to teach physical education at Ralston Valley. Lisa loved being the coach of the volleyball program and her position as a physical education teacher at Ralston Valley.

In the fall of 2009, Lisa and Paul co-founded the Arvada Colorado Elite Volleyball Club. 2013 marks the club’s fourth season as a member of RMR volleyball.

Lisa was diagnosed with cervical cancer in April of 2011. She put up a valiant fight. She underwent many surgeries, radiation treatments and chemotherapy secessions. She fought courageously until the very end; not because she was afraid to die, but because she had so very much she wanted to see and do. Lisa faced her death the way she faced life, with faith, courage and determination. Lisa’s faith in Jesus Christ gave her the strength and courage to approach the end with grace and dignity. So many people loved Lisa and her departure has created a huge hole in our hearts, holes that can only be filled by our Risen Savior.

“Lisa Renee” Paul's eulogy of Lisa Renee

I want to open things-up by sharing with you, Lisa’s silly side. I want to tell you about “Lisa Moments”. My sister coined the term. She used that phrase to poke fun at Lisa for acting like a goofy blonde. Even though Lisa’s roots didn’t scream blonde, she acted like one. For example…

There was the time she pulled up behind a Toyota Tacoma and asked Whitney “what is a Tacoma the “n” must be missing. Shouldn’t it say Toyota Tacoman??

Or the time when we were at a volleyball tournament staying at a hotel in Greeley and Whitney asked if she could go to the room next door to hang-out with the other girls. I said sure only if there is supervision over there. Lisa stood up and looked at the TV in our room and then looked back at me and said supervision, what is that? Does our TV have supervision? I replied, you dork not the TV, I’m referring an adult to watch over the kids.

The last one I’ll share with you is the time she made dinner at the lake. She was in charge of making green chile for dinner that night. She accidently used Oregon Chi Tea Latte to thicken the green chili. I guess a box of Oregon Chi Tea box looks similar to a box of chicken broth. I can remember her rinsing the chi off of the chili and then helping her thicken. It was the best chili Lisa ever made; the family called it green “chi”li.

In all seriousness, thank you all for being here today to support our family and to celebrate Lisa’s life with us.

Lisa Family

Lisa and I were married in 1993. I loved her so, so much. She was my life partner and my best friend. She was an incredible loving, caring wife. Her energy, laughter, and silliness are what I am going to miss most. I always told her, “I love being loved by you”. I am a better man today because of our relationship and will forever cherish the 19 years of joy, love and happiness we shared.

Lisa was an amazing mom. She always put her kids first. She loved Tyler and Whitney with her whole heart. She was Whitney’s caregiver and her best friend.

She was patient and understanding. Her love for her kids was unconditional. She was the heart and soul of our home.

Lisa was a beloved daughter, sister, niece, cousin and aunt. She was her mom’s sounding board, her dad’s ray of sunshine, her brother’s “little sister”, her uncle’s second daughter, her cousin’s partner in crime and her niece’s crazy aunt. Our memories of Lisa are extremely rich filled with joy, love, laughter and happiness.

Lisa Characteristics

Lisa had a huge heart. One of her club athletes described her heart as being as big as the ocean. She genuinely cared about people. She was extremely welcoming and always offered a hug and a smile. She was kind and compassionate. She was always positive and upbeat. She was full of energy and laughter. She was the kind of person you liked to be around. She had a knack for making you smile. Life was always good around Lisa; Lisa didn’t pursue happiness, she created it.

Lisa was a fierce competitor. It didn’t matter what was being played, she wanted to win and she had the skills to back it up. She owned the basketball court, the volleyball court, the scrabble board, the horseshoe pit the bowling ally, you name it and she would beat you at it. It was just part of her God given make-up. She played to win no matter what and she rarely came-up on the losing side of things.

Lisa had many things in life that she loved. She loved her family. She loved her friends. She loved kids, all kids. She loved to compete. She loved sports. She loved the staff and students at Ralston Valley High School. She loved being a volleyball coach and a physical education teacher. She loved going to the lake on weekends. She loved the ocean. She loved the mountains. She loved mornings. She loved music. But above all she loved the Lord.

Lisa loved Jesus Christ. Lisa’s faith in Christ was reflected in the way she lived her life. She was a Christian woman who cared for others, met life’s challenges head-on, and loved God. She had a passion for Christ and it was evident daily in our home, in her classroom and on the volleyball floor.

Lisa’s Battle with Cancer

Lisa battled cancer for almost two years. She was diagnosed in April of 2011. Throughout her battle with cancer she underwent countless medical procedures, five invasive surgeries, over sixty radiation treatments, and five rounds of chemotherapy. She endured an amazing amount of treatment. Some would say she lost her battle with cancer. Our family feels the exact opposite is true; you see she won several battles along the way.

Lisa Won the Battle……

When she decided to meet cancer head on with class and dignity.

When she demonstrated that hair doesn’t define a person.

When she worked for eighteen months after being diagnosed.

When she coached her varsity in regionals at Dougherty High School.

When she got off the operating table or left a treatment area.

When she reached out to others with cancer.

When she insisted on Christmas shopping for her kids.

When she coached her last volleyball matches in Colorado Springs on January 6th.

When she went to the Broncos Ravens playoff game on January 12th.

When she told the vascular surgeon, “I want to live, take my leg”.

When she left the hospital with North Metro Fire after thirty-five straight days.

When she slept the first night at home in her own bed.

When she fought for ten more days after that.

and…

When she stood tall and received eternal life from Jesus.

Faith

I want to tell you how she fought for so long and endure so much? She refused to be fearful, she trusted the Lord and she drew upon the strength only he can provide.

Fear

When Lisa was introduced to 1 John 4:18 it was just what she needed. The beginning of that verse reads-“There is no fear in love”. This comforted Lisa; she understood that if she remained focused on God’s love for her, he would drive out the fear.

Trust

As the cancer progressed, Lisa knew she was in a fight for her life and she put God at the center of it. Her faith was unwavering. She trusted him with her whole heart. She told her mom that she could not change the fact that she had cancer. She said, “why should I worry about this, I am in Gods hands”.

Strength

To give her strength she would refer to Philippians 4:13- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Lisa and I would remind each other, that Paul meant all things, not just the easy things all things.

Lisa also frequently said this, “If Christ went through what he went through on the cross then I can battle cancer. My pain is nothing compared to what he suffered for me.” Those are gigantic words, but they so accurately reflected her tremendous faith.

Lisa-Will be Missed

Lisa was a person that had a wonderful combination of love for people, strength for anything that came her way and an unwavering passion for the Lord.

She touched many lives, that is plainly evident here today. She was an inspiration to us all, by the way she lived her life and the way she dealt with cancer. She taught us all so much. Jim Ellis, Ralston Valley’s Principle said “Lisa taught us how to live for 41 years and taught us how to die for 2”.

Please celebrate Lisa’s life. Remember the person she was, the strength and courage she demonstrated, her love for the Lord and the battles she won. On March 3rd, Lisa received eternal life, which was so graciously given to her by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Now that is something we can really celebrate, that is something that gives us all hope!!!

Rest in peace Lisa Renee, rest in peace……..