Richard Lee Jacobsen

Richard Lee Jacobsen Richard never knew he was handicapped. The only handicap our dad ever had was not being able to tell a joke. Richard Lee †œDick†� Jacobsen was born on July 21, 1936, the fourth child born to Jens and Ingeborg (Bach), and one of 14 children. He grew up on the family farm. He was a decent student, loved history and was good at math. In 1950, he had an altercation with a corn picker. His right arm lost. He learned to write again by copying the industrial arts textbook. He credits one of his teachers with keeping him focused on the task and motivated to finish. In 1954, he graduated from Laurel High School. He then moved to Sioux City, IA and went to work for Wilson Chamberlin to put himself through school at Morningside College. While attending classes and working full time, he met Irene, better known by all as Toots. They were married June 3, 1961. As his career started to develop, they moved to Omaha and he attended what is now the University of Nebraska at Omaha and began a 20 -year career with Diamond Vogel. Never one to do things in a rush, Dick earned his degree from Morningside College in 1967. Dick and Toots adopted a child in 1968 and had a child in 1969 but they could never remember which one was which. Daughter Tina and son, Leif Christian, born 13 months apart and dressed as twins. Explains a lot about those kids. In 1974, the family moved to Lakewood, CO after Dick was promoted to Regional Vice President of Diamond Vogel. The classic, peaceful suburban life ensued. Thank you, God. Dick, Toots and the kids were very involved at Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church. Dad served on the council several times in various roles including president. Dick had one hobby. He loved going to Bronco football games. He has been a season ticket holder since 1982 and prior to that had season tickets to CU so he could see the Huskers play. Go Big Red. In 1984 he left Diamond Vogel and made the leap to own his own business, a life-long dream. He ran Marchek Equipment until he sold it 20 years later and what some people might call †œretired†�. Kids got married and soon the grandkids were the center of his world. As they got older, he fixed them breakfast (pancakes and bacon, grapes and cheese, nothing too fancy) and took them to school. He never missed a grandkids game or event, Soccer, lacrosse, dance recitals, church programs and 6th grade Continuations. At the age of 75 he earned his real estate brokers license and started yet another career. It took a world-wide pandemic to keep our dad at home. He spent his last year at home, reading history books, watching crime shows, playing with his cats, Ingeborg and Freyja, and visiting with his grandkids. In his final days, I asked my dad if he was afraid. He quietly and stoically (as always) told me, †œNo, I am a Christian and I†™m going to heaven.†� Dick passed away at home on April 30, 2021. He was cared for at home by his family and the wonderful angels at SCL Collier In-home Hospice Care. Donations can be made to the Holy Shepherd Columbarium or Collier Hospice. Richard is survived by his wife, Toots, of almost 60 years, his son Leif and daughter-in-law Theresa and granddaughter Kai, his daughter Tina and son-in-law Todd Brown and granddaughter Emma Jane and grandson Elias. He is also survived by brothers Don, Morris and Mike (Cathie) and sisters-in-law Donna and Vicki. Preceded in death by his parents Jens and Ingeborg, brothers, Christian, Duiane, Leonard, Harvey, Ray and wife Judy, James and wife Betty; sisters, infant twins Judith and Julia, Ruby Johnson and Shirley and her husband Loren Keifer. So many people to play cards with in Heaven.