Delbert James Jacobsen, 76, of Norwich, NY, formerly of Sargent, NE, went home to be with his Savior on October 3, 2013, after a prolonged illness. At the time of his death, he was surrounded by his loving family.
Del was born in Minden, NE, on April 7, 1937, to Glenn and Iris Jacobsen. He graduated from Minden High School in 1955. In June, 1958, he married the love of his life, Donna Ottun of Sargent, NE, and they were later blessed with the births of three daughters. Del farmed in Nebraska for several years. Then in 1972, Del felt God calling him to leave the farm and move to Denver, CO, where he attended Western Bible College and earned a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Education in 1977. He then entered the field of Christian school education. Over the next two decades, he loved working with students as a teacher and later as a school administrator. He supplemented his work in education by driving charter bus where his enjoyment of joking and storytelling gave him good rapport with the passengers.
Del was very active in church ministries. He taught an adult Sunday School class for many years at the Berean Church in Broken Bow, NE and served as a deacon at South Sheridan Baptist Church in Denver, CO. Most recently, he was a member of Faith Bible Church in Oxford, where he was active in working with the Keenagers and serving on the church board. Anyone who knew Del, knew of his love for God and of his love for the work of God.
Survivors include his wife of fifty-five years, Donna (Ottun) Jacobsen; his daughters, Patricia (Bruce) of Cortland, NY, Brenda (Ralph) Hansen of Pensacola, FL, and Sheryl Trine of Morgantown, PA; his grandchildren, Scott (Caroline) Buchanan, Gregory Buchanan, Brandon Buchanan, Kelly Trine, and Tiffany Trine; his sister, Vivian (Ray) Thomas of Lincoln, NE; his brother, Gerald (Judy) of Doniphan, NE; nieces, nephews and many extended family members.
He was predeceased by his parents, Glenn and Iris Jacobsen, and infant brother, Roger.
The funeral will be held in Broken Bow, Nebraska, with internment at the Round Valley Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at Faith Bible Church in Oxford, NY on October 19, at 1 p.m., officiated by Pastor Norman Holtz
Memorials may be made in Del’s honor to Berean Bible Church, 726 Route 13, Cortland, NY 13045 or to Faith Bible Church, 45 Butler Street, Oxford, NY 13830.
Arrangements by the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.