Obituary of Donald Jacobsen

B I O G R A P H Y JACOBSEN: Donald Arthur Jacobsen passed away near Islay, Alberta on Monday, July 18, 2005 at the age of 69 years. Donald was predeceased by: his parents and his brothers: Allan, David and Glen. The memorial service for Donald was conducted from the McCaw Funeral Chapel, Lloydminster, Alberta on Friday, July 22, 2005 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Joyce Carson officiating. A private family interment followed in the Lloydminster City Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster administered the funeral arrangements. Eulogy Don was born February 11, 1936 in Rabbit Lake, the fourth child of John and Alma Jacobsen. Don leaves to mourn one son Geordie and his wife Cindi and their children of Vernon, his brother Roger and his wife Linda of Vancouver, his sister Marie and her husband Don of Whitehorse, his sister Debbie and her husband Wayne of Lloydminster, his best friend Rick Mallett as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Don was predeceased by his dad and mother, brothers, David, Alan and Glen and his nephew Michael. Donald moved with his Mom and other siblings to Lloydminster in 1941 while Dad was serving in the 2nd world war. Don started in kindergarten in Lloydminster and all of his schooling was completed in Lloyd. As a young teen Don worked with his Dad after the end of the war, making cement culverts. There was a very large demand for new road and highways after the war and Don and his Dad worked together for several years at those culverts, until steel took over as the choice for road building equipment. Don eventually went out on his own to become a truck driver and very soon became involved in driving and moving oilfield equipment. He stayed in that type of work for the rest of his life. Donald was a self taught driver, as those types of lessons were not common when he was starting out. Don worked for several different trucking and oilfield hauling organizations and became known as a reliable and good efficient driver. Don never left home and with the passing of his father John in 1965, he took on the job of looking after his Mom and assisting in the raising of Debbie. He never wavered from that task no matter the circumstances. Don’s biggest passion was the love he had for his family. As each of his brothers and sisters moved off to create their own family, “Uncle Donald was there.” He was there for the weddings, he was their for the birth of the babies, he was there for graduations. Donald was the rock of the Jacobsen family. Don spent his spare time puttering around home, never wanting to drive long haul because it would take him away from family and friends. He was generous and always willing to help anyone who needed it, as his neighbors at his apartment building can attest. The passing of Don this week has devastated the family, but I know they have come together with his friends to mourn him, but also to celebrate him. They will miss him, no doubt, but they will all know that their lives have been rewarded by having him for as long as they did. Card of Thanks Thanks to Joyce Carson for officiating at the service, to the Rescue Squad and Kitscoty RCMP for their help at the accident scene and to McCaw Funeral Service. Special thanks to Ray and Annie Jackson, Pentastar and Devon Canada. The Jacobsen Family Donations in memory of Don may be made to the CNIB.