Shirley Jacobsen

Shirley Ann Jacobsen passed away peacefully at Cass County Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, surrounded by family at the age of 85.

She was born the daughter of Clifford B and Dorothy (Lang) Wright on January 20, 1934, in Omaha but homesteaded on a farm near Aurora, NE.

In 1939, the Wright family moved to a farm south of Massena, IA and later moved to Wiota, IA. While attending school in Wiota she played 6-on-6 girls’ basketball and graduated from Wiota High School in 1952. During her junior year, she began working as an egg candler and soon worked her way up to checking out customers, helping with bookwork, and many other jobs at Reed’s Hardware store on the main street in Wiota. She purchased her first sewing machine from Carl Reed prior to marriage.

On December 11, 1954, Shirley was united in marriage to Floyd V. Jacobsen of Elk Horn, IA. Six children were born to this union. Shirley was a loyal wife and dedicated homemaker. She worked for Davis Paint (2 years) and Pamida (29 years) after all the children started school.

Shirley was very active in various community and civic venues. She was the Clerk of Trustees for Grove Township, helped with the Cass County Election Board, was an active member of the Atlantic American Legion Auxiliary, and was a 4-H leader for Edna Willing Workers in Cumberland and the Brighton Blue Bells in Atlantic. Shirley also was active in the United Methodist Women at the Cumberland United Methodist Church, and was a vital person on the planning team for Wiota Class Reunions.

Along with raising her children, working, and helping in the community, Shirley had many hobbies. She was a member of the Nishnabotna Quilters Guild, a Certified Master Gardener, a member of the Kidabit Club in Elk Horn and a member of a Pinochle Card Club. She also loved to polka dance with Floyd, dabbled in painting and ceramics, and was great at impersonating Minnie Pearl with the family on stage.

Shirley is survived by her children: Alan Jacobsen, Sioux City, IA; Myra (Norman) Houser, Ankeny, IA; Nancy (Joe) Steckelberg, Independence, IA; Carl (Lori) Jacobsen, Ankeny, IA; Mike (Jessica) Jacobsen, Atlantic, IA; and Ann (Larry) Johnk, Walnut, IA; 21 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; sister, Roma Gerry, Omaha, NE; brother, Clifford C. (Nova) Wright, Wiota, IA; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her into rest are her husband, Floyd; her parents, Clifford B and Dorothy; her sister, Carol (Dell) Wallace; her daughter-in-law, Dr. Jonita Jacobsen; parents-in-law, Walter and Emma Jacobsen; sister-in-law, Audrey (Don) Holtz; and brothers-in-law, Melten Jacobsen and Leo (Donna) Jacobsen.

The family will greet friends at the First United Methodist Church in Atlantic on Sunday, June 30, 2019, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, July 1, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Atlantic.

A private burial will be held at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.

The family is in charge of the arrangements along with the help of Atlantic First United Methodist Church and Hockenberry Funeral Home of Atlantic, IA.