Jo Ann Jacobson

Jo Ann (Philips) Jacobson, 81, of Schaller, Iowa, went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 surrounded by her husband and children at Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. John Lutheran Church in Galva. Burial will be in the Galva East Township Cemetery. Visitation will take place Friday, April 24, 2015 from 5-8:00 p.m. at the St. John Lutheran Church in Galva. Memorials may be directed in Jo Ann's name. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Schaller is in charge of the arrangements. Jo Ann was born on November 6, 1933 in Calhoun County, Iowa to William LaVerne and Hilda (George) Philips. She grew up in Sac City, Iowa with her younger brother, Jerold Alan “Jerry” Philips. Jo Ann made her mark on the Sac City public school system, participating in chorus, band, and the Future Homemakers club. Jo Ann graduated from Sac City High School in 1951. After graduation she was accepted to the University of Iowa nursing school. On February 3, 1952, Jo Ann married the love of her life, Darold Jacobson of Galva, Iowa, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sac City. The couple started their life together on the farm where Darold grew up two miles east of Galva. Darold and Jo Ann were blessed with six children: Steve, Teresa, Jeff, Marci, Nanci, and Phil. Darold and Jo Ann continued in the farm’s operations even after moving into Schaller, Iowa in 1991. Jo Ann spent many hours in her flower gardens and loved to sew and play bridge. She was a faithful fan at her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s sporting events and activities. Jo Ann was a dedicated member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Galva, active in the Ladies Aid and as a Sunday school teacher for many years. She enjoyed being involved in local and county organizations, including the Red Hat Society, Porkettes, and Cowbells. While her children were in school, she was involved in many activities in the Galva public school system. Those left blessed to have shared in her life are her husband, Darold, of Schaller, five children, Steve (Deb) Jacobson of Omaha, Neb.; Jeff (Kathy) Jacobson of Galva, Iowa; Marci (John) O’Connell of Letcher, S.D.; Nanci (Wayne) Bruss of Fort Dodge, and Phil Jacobson (and special friend Marla) of Galva. She is survived by ten grandchildren: Tabitha (Jamie) Lewis of Cushing, Iowa, Aaron (Sarah) Jacobson of Schaller, Shiloh Jacobson of Gresham, Oregon, Josh (Sara) Jacobson of Galva, Laura Jacobson of Washington, D.C., Jared (Jessica) Jacobson of Albia, Iowa, Mitch Bruss of Fort Dodge, Nick Bruss of Ankeny, Iowa, Terrance Jacobson of Omaha, and Kellen Jacobson of Galva; eleven great-grandchildren; three nieces, Michelle (Jose) Alvarez, Julie (Scott) Townes, and Jeri (Maurice) Richardson, and one nephew, Kevin (Kim) Philips, and their children and grandchildren, of South Carolina; and two sisters-in-law, Sharon Matzke of Omaha and Lavonne Philips of Jacksonville, Florida. She is preceded in death by her parents, William Philips and Hilda (Philips) Kreft; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Fred “Shorty” and Hazel (Challman) Jacobson; her daughter, Teresa; her brother, Jerry; and her two sisters-in-law, Gladys Huseman and Geraldine Voss. Jo Ann’s family has established a memorial fund in her name.

Jo Ann Jacobson

November 6, 1933 - April 21, 2015