Douglas Dean Jacobsen, was born on February 23, 1946, in Council Bluffs, Iowa to his parents Fred and LaVerne (Kahl) Jacobsen.

He grew up on the family farm east of Hancock. Attended grade school in Hancock and when he was a freshman he went to AvoHa High School in Avoca, Iowa. He graduated from there with the class of 1964.

After high school, he held a variety of jobs. The one he enjoyed most was working for the Northside Animal Hospital in Avoca with Doctors Robert Wunder and Roy Schultz. He also enjoyed the work at the Avoca Sale Barn on Fridays. In October of 1965, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and received an honorable discharge from the Army in July of 1967.

Doug and Kathy were married on April 21, 1968. In 1969, they moved to Shelby and raised their three children: Joel, Andrea and Emily. Doug farmed and worked as a rural mail carrier, retiring in 2014. After retirement, he enjoyed going to his grandchildren’s activities, helping with harvest, fishing and hunting.

On Saturday, November 8, 2025, Doug passed away having attained the age of 79 years, 8 months and 16 days. He was preceded in death by his parents Fred and LaVerne and his siblings.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 57 years, Kathy Jacobsen, of Hancock, Iowa; children Joel and wife Trina Jacobsen of Shelby, Iowa; Andrea Johnson of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Emily Jacobsen of Council Bluffs, Iowa; 3 grandchildren: Chase Johnson, Abigail Jacobsen, and Broedy Johnson; other family and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to the Hancock and Minden Fire Departments.