Ralph M. Jacobson

Ralph M. Jacobson, 79, of Humboldt, passed away May 14, 2009 at the Paula J. Baber Hospice House in Fort Dodge. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Bode with the Rev. Paul Breddin officiating. Interment will be in St. Olaf Cemetery, Bode. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. today at the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home in Humboldt.
Ralph Milton Jacobson was born to Sylvan and Bertha (Enockson) Jacobson on December 22, 1929, near Ottosen, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed his faith at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottosen. After graduating from Ottosen High School in 1948, he began his lifelong calling as a farmer east of Ottosen when he brought a classmate, soon-to-be farm wife, home to be married on February 26, 1950. Ruth Larson became Ruth Jacobson, and together they raised their family of four children: Kathy, Jackie, Jeff, and Paul. After living in the same farmhouse for 46 years, in 1996 Ralph and Ruth moved to Humboldt, although he remained a constant presence at the farm where Paul and his family continued to farm. Ralph was diagnosed with acute Myelogenous Leukemia in September 2003, but God blessed us with miraculous 5-plus years more of abundant life. On Thursday morning, May 14, Ralph joined his Heavenly Father at the age of 79 years, five months, surrounded by his family at the Paula J. Baber Hospice House in Fort Dodge.
Ralph was the lion of the clan with a roar much more exercised than was his bite. He loved life, and through his actions taught us lessons of working hard before playing, of being honest, generous, and loyal, of championing the underdog, of always remaining curious about people and events he encountered, and of facing tough times with a laugh, a shrug, and a firm belief that the Lord was in control. His candid remarks endeared and exasperated those of us who were privileged to receive them. Ralph was especially fond of his grandkids and spent many hours in the bleachers and stands cheering them on, no matter what their endeavors. He also cheered and mourned the outcomes of the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Chicago Cubs.
Ralph offered his leadership on various boards: the Federal Land Bank, the Ottosen Coop Elevator, St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Bode, Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp, and Humboldt County Mutual Insurance, and was an enthusiastic member of the Humboldt Rotary Club, He faithfully sang in St. Olaf’s choir for over 50 years as well as anytime he wanted the kids to get up in the morning. Ralph enjoyed golfing and gathering with his card-playing cronies on a regular basis, where just a little bantering also took place.
Ralph will be sorely missed by his wife of 59 years, Ruth, and their children: Kathy (Mike) Christensen, Ankeny; Jackie (Terry) Binder, Quapaw, OK; Jeff (Pam) Jacobson, Parkersburg; and Paul (Sheryl) Jacobson, Ottosen. Their thirteen grandchildren are: Jesse (Soloni) Christensen, Ben (Katie) Christensen, Nick (Jamie) Christensen; Callie (Cody) Schrank, Abby (Trey) Witcher, Whitney Binder; Matt (Sara) Jacobson, Jodi (Jud) Marvel, Jon (Tricia) Jacobson, Andy Jacobson; and Bethany (fiancée, Tim Nading) Jacobson, Nathan Jacobson, and Samuel Jacobson. Ralph also had fun teasing his seven great grandchildren: Cooper and Cora Christensen, Charlie and Gwyneth Christensen, Gabe and Luke Jacobson, and Jayla Marvel. Ralph in also survived by five siblings: Charlotte Wehrspann, Louis (Muriel) Jacobson, Jim (Arlene) Jacobson, Wanda (Estel) Alexander, and Arlan Jacobson, plus many nieces and nephews. His in-laws are: Phyllis and Conrad Johnson and Marilyn and John Larson. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents. His brother-in-law, Howard Klemme, and his sister, June Jacobson.
God has blessed Ralph and his family over and over again, but one to especially mention in the loving and expert care he received from the staff on his many visits to Powell 3 at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines and from Dr. Sara Alexander and her assistant, Martha. Though the stay was short, the staff at the Paula J. Baber Hospice House in Fort Dodge was also a godsend.
Memorials may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or St. Olaf Lutheran Church at Bode.