Jacqueline "Jay" Mae Mikaelsen

Jacqueline Mae “Jay” Mikaelsen, born January 7, 1949, in Red Wing, Minnesota, to Aldor Leonal Freeberg and Ida Marie (Hanson) Freeberg, went home to be with the Lord on Sept. 5th, 2026, at the age of 77. She was born alongside her twin sister, Katherine, who remained her lifelong best friend.

Jay graduated from Red Wing High School in 1967 and continued her education at California Lutheran Bible School, graduating in 1969. It was there that she met her future husband, Paul. They were married on September 20, 1969, at Vasa Lutheran Church in Minnesota, beginning a partnership that would span more than five decades of marriage and ministry.

Responding to God’s call, Paul and Jay joined the World Mission Prayer League in 1976 as full-time missionaries. The following year, they moved with their children, Theresa and Jesse, to Caranavi, Bolivia, where they assumed leadership of the Christian radio ministry, Radio Caranavi. After returning to the United States in 1979, where their son Dallas was born, the family answered God’s call once again and returned to Bolivia in 1990. There they expanded the ministry by adding television broadcasting, creating Radio Television Caranavi (RTC), a ministry that faithfully proclaimed the Gospel throughout Bolivia and beyond.

For more than four decades of missionary service, Jay was a driving force behind RTC’s ministry. She faithfully managed the organization’s finances and administration while also leading and supporting numerous outreach efforts that touched thousands of lives. Her work included directing children’s ministries, operating a small snack shop that taught practical business skills, coordinating nationwide outreach programs, assisting with community development projects, securing medical equipment and supplies for the Caranavi hospital, organizing disaster relief efforts, raising funds for individuals with special needs, and warmly welcoming countless mission teams and visitors from around the world. Through her faithful service, compassionate leadership, and unwavering commitment to sharing Christ’s love, Jay helped establish RTC as a ministry that impacted communities across Bolivia for generations.

In addition to her missionary service, Jay served as State Chaplain for the Minnesota Women of Today during 1985–1986. She lived a life marked by joyful faith, generous hospitality, and genuine love for others. She enjoyed traveling, singing and playing guitar, reading, handcrafts, playing games and cards, and embracing new adventures. Above all, she cherished her family, treasured her friendships, and fulfilled her lifelong dream of serving as a missionary.

Jay is survived by her daughter, Theresa (Mitch) Bates of Caranavi, Bolivia; her sons, Jesse (Anne) Mikaelsen of Whitehall, Michigan, and Dallas (Danae) Mikaelsen of Miami, Florida; her grandchildren, Evan Ringelberg, Kellan Mikaelsen, Piers Mikaelsen, Fern Mikaelsen, and Spring Mikaelsen; her twin sister, Katherine “Kay” Fiksen of Red Wing, Minnesota; and several beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Gerhard Mikaelsen; her parents, Aldor and Ida Freeberg; and her brother, James Freeberg.

Jay’s life was a testimony to faithful service, steadfast love, and unwavering devotion to Christ. Her legacy lives on through the countless lives touched by the ministry she helped build, the family she loved deeply, and the enduring Gospel message she dedicated her life to sharing.

A memorial service will be 11 a.m., Saturday, October 10, 2026 at the Vasa Lutheran Center. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Friday, October 9, 2026 at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel, Red Wing and one hour prior to the service, at the Lutheran Center. Burial will be at Vasa Lutheran Cemetery. Online condolences maybe left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.