In Loving Memory of Our Friend - Jessica Miller

September 2017 • $5.00

6 | Dirt Modifi ed Magazine | September 2017

two years ago, I wrote a col-umn in Dirt Modifi ed Magazine called “Tell Them You Love

Them”. I wrote that column after Ben Bartlett died. Ben was a huge part of the church we attend and his tragic death, along with two of his three children, was a shocking blow to the system. I try to be a good person and a good Christian, and I try my best to trust in the Lord, to believe He has a plan that should not be questioned. But it was hard to not question him when Ben, Charlie and Bailey Bartlett died in a senseless car crash on their family vacation in Florida. I’m questioning again today. And my questioning comes on the heels of another senseless car ac-cident. The news came late yester-day (7/11/17) morning. Emma is here for her summer visit and she and I were out on a paddle boat in the middle of a friend’s farm pond fi shing when the phone rang. Julie was on the other end of the line and I could immediately tell she was upset. Her voice cracked as she got out the words, “Jessica Miller was killed last night in a car accident.” I don’t really know what I said in return and had no idea what to say when I’d hung up the phone and Emma asked me what was the matter. Emma has a tender heart and she could tell her dad was hurt-ing. What do you say in a situation like that and how do you try to continue vacationing upon learning one of the brightest lights you’ve ever encountered has burned out?

I just told her what happened and tried to keep on as best I could. In our part of the racing world, we take for granted that everybody knows what Karsyn’s Krusad-ers is and who Jessica and Andy Miller are. But if you’re not familiar, Karsyn’s Krusaders is a childhood cancer charity based in the Cedar Valley of Iowa that was founded in 2010 by the Miller’s in the wake of their daughter, Karsyn’s, cancer diagnosis in 2008. Karsyn, who was three when she was diagnosed, is now cancer free and on the cusp of being a teenager. Her older brother, Austin, graduated from high school this spring and is headed off to col-lege to play baseball this fall. Both of those kids will have to face the future without their mom and Andy Miller will have to fi nd a way to go on with-out the love of his life. And literally thousands of people, who have been impacted, either directly or indirectly, by this racing- based initiative, this crusade to rid the world of cancer, will have to keep on crusading with-out their guiding light. Julie and I were newly mar-ried and Three Wide Media was barely off the ground when we met Andy and Jessica Miller and became aware of their situation and what they were trying to accomplish with their charity. I remember being taken by their passion and their determination. To have passion and determination when your child is fi ghting for their life is one thing, but maintaining that same drive after the threat has passed is another entirely. Karsyn has been cancer free

Mike O’Connor

Be A Krusaderfor years, but Jessica never slowed down. She was the mouthpiece and Andy was her rock. Together they made an amazing team. Jessica’s crusade against cancer was not confi ned to the state of Iowa. Far from it. Race fans from Las Cruces, New Mexico, to New Richmond, Wisconsin, knew about Karsyn’s Krusaders and many were blessed to know the beauti-ful blonde dynamo that was its driving force. What started as a catchy name on a couple of differ-ent t-shirts became one of the most successful racing-based charities ever formed - to date having raised and given away nearly $700,000. In addition to her work with Karsyn’s Krusaders, Jessica was truly a member of our magazine family. She was always there to help us promote the magazines at events that she attended. From simply helping deliver magazines to races across the country to displaying and promoting our titles proudly along-side Karsyn’s Krusaders merchan-dise; her contributions were unwav-ering and offered without hesitation. Jessica Miller had an infec-tious personality, a brilliant smile and unbreakable will. “Kicking can-cer’s butt one lap at a time” is the motto of Karysn’s Krusaders and Jessica Miller was chief butt kicker. I pray this amazing charity will not die with its founder. I pray we fi nd purpose in the life that Jessica led and we do our part moving forward to keep her memory alive. I urge you, if you’re not already, be a Krusader.

September 2017 | www.ThreeWideMedia.com | 7September 2017 | www.ThreeWideMedia.com | 7

Jessica Miller had an incredible impact on literally thousands of lives. The outpouring of grief and sup-port for her family and for Karsyn’s Krusaders, the childhood cancer charity that she co-founded with her husband, Andy Miller, has been overwhelming since her tragic death in a car accident on July 11. In honor of Jessica and the exemplary life she led, we offer a small sample of senti-ments expressed on Facebook in the wake of her death.

– Three Wide Media

We fi rst met Jessica at University Hospitals, Iowa City, when RC was di-agnosed with cancer. Many who read our journals knew this family because their daughter, Karsyn, also had Leu-kemia. Many of our families became close and we were thankful for each other. Jessica Miller and her family fought the cancer battle with Karsyn and won! But they did not stop there. This young family organized a non-profi t organization called Karsyn’s Krusaders. They raised money that continues to help many other families today. They gave of their time, never knew a stranger and changed the lives of many. Those in the racing community will be very familiar with this orga-nization. Jessica loved to race! She will join many of the children who did not make it through the journey of cancer and side effects. I am thinking of all those memories today while still numb by the news. When they say God takes the best - they mean it.

– Toni Daters

My heart is so heavy today after hear-ing of the loss of a beautiful woman that I got to know when Karleigh was sick. Even though their own daughter was fi ghting cancer, Andy and Jessica Miller were cheerleaders for other families going through the fi ght with their children. Jessica worked tireless-ly to help others in many ways and I have always had so much admiration for her giving spirit. Karsyn’s Krusad-ers - Kickin’ Cancer’s Butt One Lap at a Time was Jessica’s biggest crusade to help others fi ghting childhood can-cer. My heart aches for Andy, Austin and Karsyn. May you Rest in Peace my dear friend and know that you touched more lives than you will ever know.....and the hearts of many in ways that will never be forgotten.

– Diane Hobart

We’ve tragically lost another great friend in the racing community. I have never have met anyone more devoted,

determined, ambitious and passionate to advocate their cause to help others. Her passion for racing was the best platform to reach the masses through Karsyn’s Krusaders - Kickin’ Cancer’s Butt One Lap at a Time. I am thankful to have known Jessica, and thankful for all the peo-ple she has reached. Our thoughts and prayers are with Andy, Austin, Karsyn and the entire family. No words can even begin to express con-dolences and we can’t even fathom what they’re going through.

– Brent Licata

Heaven gained a beautiful angel this morning...way too soon. My heart is broken! Jessica Miller was my best friend and like a sister to me, although not by blood, she was fam-ily. We grew up going to the races every Saturday night and went to high school together. I used to tell everyone she was my babysitter and it drove her crazy. (She actually watched my brother and sister.) We reconnected when I met my husband, Darin Duffy, and have been friends and there for one another ever since. I will miss our long conversa-tions and random texts that only the two of us understood. We shared lots of laughs and many tears. Jess wanted to make a difference in people’s lives and she was beyond successful. Jessica touched the lives of everyone she met. Karsyn Miller and Austin Miller, your mom was so proud of you and loved you both so much! Andy P. Miller, you were her rock. RIP my beautiful friend....I love you. Always remember “The Strug-gle is REAL Girl”.

- Jennifer Duffy

Relationships are all about invest-ment. We spend our lives judging this return on investment and more often than not, this is what determines the depth, strength, and longevity of each one. Many relationships meet their potential in a brief window in a cycli-cal pattern, coming and going and often paid no mind. Every once in a while though, sprinkled across our lives comes someone who is worth investing in more than the majority. These people are almost a literal “light in the room”, as their intentions and convictions are so apparent they simply cannot be stopped from piercing the darkness. For everything you give this person you are rewarded tenfold. These little investments of time, effort, and atten-tion return big dividends and never seem to end. The crazy thing is, often

these very personalities are so inde-pendent, effi cient and selfl ess, that we don’t invest in them enough until it’s too late. Personally, my relationship with Jessica was mostly off the track, in personal conversations about grief and the business of fundraising. We talked at length about putting our hurt and struggle on display as a way for others to release their pain or celebrate life. We talked about just how absurdly diffi cult charity can be and how it can consume your life. We discussed the ridiculous expecta-tions one can set for themselves once you’ve understood the power of giv-ing back and the “need” to always top a previous result. Jessica Miller was one of the people you needed to invest in and rather than thinking you didn’t do it enough, know that you can still invest in her. You see, Jessica has done what so many of us try to do, and that is to leave a legacy. Not only did she leave a legacy, she left it in bold letters with clear intention. How do you honor a person like this? You uphold their legacy as long as it can possibly go. It won’t be easy, as it will take many combined to match the intensity of her fl ame. Neverthe-less, it is possible and with a com-munity like ours, it’s probable. We hope to forget the tears of today and only remember the past tears of joy with you, our friend, Jessica Miller.

- Chris Brown

As I lay here in the quiet of our house I’m still in disbelief that I will never get to hold you or talk to you again. My heart is broken. How am I to move forward without you? What am I supposed to do when Karsyn and Austin need their mom? I trust that you will help guide me from the heavens above. You will forever be missed, not only by us but by all of the people that you impacted in your short time on earth. I love you more than you’ll ever know!!

– Andy Miller