DeLois Jacobson

DeLois Jacobson, 99, of Fairbanks, AK formerly of the Newman Grove, NE area, passed away on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at home near Fairbanks, AK.

Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at Salem Lutheran Church rural St. Edward, NE with Rev. Becky Beckmann officiating. Interment will follow in the Salem Cemetery. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the services at church.

Memorials are suggested to: Global Health Ministries, 7831 Hickory Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55432-2500; Child Evangelism Fellowship, PO Box 348, Warrenton, MO 63383-0348; or a Christian charity of your choice.

Miller-Levander Funeral Home of St. Edward, NE is in charge of arrangements.

DeLois Jacobson, daughter of Ernest and Hilda (Olson) Nygren was born August 23, 1925, in Columbus, NE. She was baptized at Salem Lutheran Church in rural St. Edward, NE. DeLois attended Newman Grove High School and graduated with the class of 1942. Following high school, she went to Luther College in Wahoo, NE and then to Augustana College in Rock Island, IL where she graduated in 1947.

On August 22, 1947, DeLois married William Jacobson at Salem Lutheran Church. The couple lived in several places during their lifetime. First, they lived in Lindsay, NE, and then in Newman Grove, NE. They then left for the mission field in 1949, first serving in Tanganyika (now known as Tanzania) for 15 years. They returned to the United States for four years, three of which were spent serving a church in rural Minnesota and then left again for Africa to live and work in Kenya for the next 24 years. They then retired to Newman Grove, NE for the next 13 years, moved to Minneapolis for a time, and then finally to Fairbanks, AK to be with family. During furloughs they lived in several different states across the U.S.

DeLois was a born teacher. She was always involved in teaching in some form or other, whether it was practical skills such as sewing, cooking or baby care to African women, or Sunday School and Bible studies, or teaching in the classroom. She taught in local schools whenever she was living in the U.S. and during the 24 years she lived in Kenya. Her pupils ranged from preschool, primary, and secondary school over the years. Her special passion was teaching and coaching children who were struggling in various subjects or had learning difficulties.

DeLois was a lifelong Christian. She was always destined for the mission field, having been dedicated to missions by her parents during a mission conference when she was eight months old. DeLois was committed to sharing the good news of God's love and forgiveness and reflected this in her words and actions throughout her life. DeLois's life was deeply rooted at Salem Lutheran Church where her grandfather, John Olson had been one of its founding members.

DeLois is survived by her three children: DeAnne (Gary) Schmunk of Fairbanks, AK; Marilyn (Michael) Stockwood of Guildford, England; Hans Jacobson of Fairbanks, AK; four grandchildren: Jonathan, Rebecca, Thomas and Isabelle; three great-grandsons; two great-granddaughters; along with four nieces; and one nephew.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister: JoAnn; and brother: Gayard.