Donald Warren Jacobson, age 85, fondly known as "Jake," passed away Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at his home in Coleraine, MN with his family at his side.

Jake was born March 22, 1938, the son of Benjamin and Bella (Bertha Olson) Jacobson in Hibbing, Minnesota.  Growing up in Hibbing, Minnesota, he graduated from Hibbing High School, Hibbing Community College, and the University of Minnesota-Duluth.  While in high school, Jake enjoyed the Boy Scouts of America and was very proud of the Eagle Scout Award he earned.

Jake was a very well-known high school teacher and football coach for more than 36 years, with 30 years spent in Deer River until his retirement.  On July 31, 1994, Jake was united in marriage to Mary Kay Hubbard at Zion Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids.  They made their home on Deer Lake where Jake lived for 41 years and in 2015, Jake and Mary Kay moved to their home in Coleraine, Minnesota.  Throughout retirement, he was very active in activities at Camp Hiawatha.  For 27 years, Jake scheduled the weekly Sunday summer church services working with different clergy, lay people and musicians for each service.  He also organized the men's breakfast that continues to take place every Thursday morning during the non-camp season.  This past year, the retreat center at the camp was dedicated as the Jacobson Retreat Center; an honor that humbled Jake and made him very proud.   Jake had many hobbies that included athletics, fishing, hunting, but, most importantly, spending time with his family and friends.  His Norwegian heritage was something that he proudly shared with everyone!

Jake is survived by his wife of 29 years, Mary Kay Jacobson; their children, Kristine and Scott Hubbard, Kari Jacobson, Kirk Jacobson, Mark (Kim) Hubbard, and Kim (Carter) Strickland; grandchildren, Bryce Hubbard, Tyler Erickson, Sutton Hubbard, Kristian Erickson, Owen Strickland, Solveig Erickson, Pearce Strickland, Jacob Hubbard, and Lily Hubbard; his three wonderful nephews, Eric, Scott, and Peter; his beloved dog, "Ranger"; other relatives and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Bella Jacobson, and his brother and sister-in-law, John and Ginny Jacobson.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Zion Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, MN with a visitation beginning at 9:30 AM.  Internment will take place in Maple Hill Cemetery in Hibbing, Minnesota.  To honor Jake, everyone attending his funeral service is encouraged to wear a Norwegian Sweater or the colors of the Norwegian flag, blue and red.  Memorials are to be directed to Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry designated to the Jacobson Retreat Center renovation project.