Gale "Jake" Eldon Jacobson

Gale (Jake) Eldon Jacobson was born on February 2, 1939 in Fergus Falls, to Gilford and Gladys (Berglund) Jacobson. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Evansville. Gale grew up on a farm near Ashby and attended Evansville Public Schools. He was named “Athlete of the Year” for the Class of ’57. Gale married classmate, Geralyn (Charbonneau) Burros, on October 17, 1959. 2 children were born into this marriage, daughter, Galea and son, Graig. For 5 years, Gale and Geri owned and operated the Evansville supermarket, Evansville Furniture Store and Laundromat. Gale’s true passion was his work in the Heavy Equipment business which started at age 14, building roads, bridges and elevators. He also taught Heavy Equipment at Northwest Iowa Technical College for 5 years in Sheldon, Iowa. On October 5, 1979, Gale (Jake) was united in marriage to Donna (Christianson) Schwartz. He adopted Scott shortly after their marriage. Gale was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing and camping. He had an affinity for anything with a motor. Motorcycles, snowmobiles, cars, trucks, boats and tractors to name a few. Gale said that “a vehicle is just another tool”. You found one that suited your needs. His favorite “tool” was usually a brand-new pickup! Gale met his fiancé, Kathy, while deer hunting with Graig. Jake and Kathy owned K and J Services, a custom curb grinding business for 17 years before he retired at age 75. They loved traveling, wintering in Arizona and attending races of any kind but particularly late model dirt track racing. On Friday, January 12, 2024, Jake was called home from Visions Memory Care in Apache Junction, Arizona. Per his wishes, he was cremated and his ashes will be scattered at places that he loved.

 Gale (Jake) was preceded in death by his parents, Gil and Gladys; sister, Jan (Jacobson) Bratten; 2 brothers in law, Eddie Biederman and Orv Holte, wife Donna and son, Graig.

 He is survived by fiancé, Kathy Shatto; sister, LuAnne Holte; brother, Myron (Judy) Jacobson; daughter, Galea; son, Scott. Kathy’s children, son, Brent and daughter, Jody, Grandchildren, Travis, Erin, Adam, Nathan, Eric, Amber, Matis, Maeve, Kelsey, Seth, Kale, Suri, Chelsea, Katie and Cotton; great-grandchildren, Devyn, Abigail, Addison, Brayden, Elliot and Owen; great-great-grandson, Jaxon; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

 A memorial service will be held at Glende-Nilson Chapel in Evansville on Saturday, October, 12, 2024 at 2:00 PM with a visitation, one hour prior.