Kathleen Jacobsma

Kathleen Ruth Jacobsma was born August 17, 1942 in Hull, Iowa to Ralph & Cynthia (Vanden Oever) Oostra. She was the oldest of three children and grew up in Hull, Iowa, Great Falls, Montana, and Rock Valley, Iowa. Kathleen attended the Christian school in Hull and graduated from Western Christian High School in 1959. On her 17th birthday she made profession of her faith in Jesus Christ at the Protestant Reformed Church in Hull. Following graduation, she attended Stewart School of Hairstyling in Sioux City, Iowa.

While attending school she met a young man named Bernard Jacobsma. They got engaged and were married at the Protestant Reformed Church in Hull on January 25, 1961. Bernie and Kathy began their married life in a two-room house on his parents’ farm. In 1962 they moved to a farm by Doon, Iowa, relocated to Inwood, Iowa in 1966 and moved to a farm by Luverne, Minnesota in 1974, later moving to town in 1987. Their marriage was blessed with nine children between 1961 and 1973.

After the kids were in school, Kathy worked at Luverne Bakery and Tony’s Foodland. At the age of 50, Kathy enrolled in Nettleton College to study Medical Assisting, graduating in 1994 and then working at the Luverne Medical Center and Sanford Hospital.

Kathy found deep joy and purpose in caring for her large family, always discovering thoughtful ways to nurture each one of them. From making decorated birthday cakes each year, giving home haircuts, sewing clothes, and tending a large garden and canning the fruits of her labor, her love was woven into everyday acts. She cherished time spent with her family, taking pictures at all their events, even making a scrapbook for each grandchild’s graduation. The annual Oostra Thanksgiving celebration was a highlight of her year, as was getting together with her children and grandchildren to do holiday baking. She was content with the simple things in life and often spoke of how blessed she was to have a family who loved and cared for her.

Kathy was a member of the American Reformed Church of Luverne, where she joyfully used her gifts and love for the Lord through teaching catechism, helping with Vacation Bible School and Pioneer Club, and being part of the Esther Circle. Kathy clung to her faith in God in both seasons of joy and times of hardship and was a prayer warrior for her family. Kathy enjoyed flower gardening, reading, playing Scrabble, crosswords, sudoku, and fixing puzzles. She was a hospice volunteer and 4-H leader and was even the 4-H Mother of the Year in 1980. Kathy leaves a legacy of unconditional love, patience, and unwavering faith in God.

Kathleen was gathered into the loving arms of her Savior on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage at the age of 83 years, five months and 22 days.

She is lovingly remembered by her children, 17 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren:Donald & Gail Jacobsma of Arlington, SD; Megan & Joel Carter, Hazel and Callen; Tyler & Erin Jacobsma, Jace, Aiden and Kelley |Darrell & Julie Jacobsma of Stanchfield, MN; Nik & Heather Jacobsma, Brekken and Kolby; Jordan & Jenny Jacobsma; Kailey Jacobsma and Jaxx; Aaron & Mandy Allen, Porter and Coleman |Barbara & Robert Tilstra of Rock Rapids, IA; Jenna Tilstra and Souleymane Diallo; Jacob Tilstra; Joseph Tilstra |Bonita Zschetzsche of Hills, MN |Brenda & Rodney Vanden Top of Rock Rapids, IA; Joshua & Heidi Vanden Top and Case; Travis & Monica Vanden Top and Raelynn; Kathryn & Chris Huber, Tilly and Elsie |David & Jennifer Jacobsma of Canton, SD; Taylor & Shawn Bennett, Ava, Weston, Khloe and Madelyn; Tim Johnson and Axel, Bentyn, Marlee and Carston |Douglas & Erin Jacobsma of Luverne, MN; Morgan Jacobsma, Dalton Jacobsma, Gretchen Jacobsma |Dale & Suzy Jacobsma of Hull, IA |Brothers: Ron & Carol Oostra of Sioux Center, IA, Dean & Mary Oostra of Rock Valley, IA.Sister-in-laws: Carol Jacobsma and Glenda Jacobsma; and many other nieces, nephews, family and friends.Soul Sister: Carol Cook, Luverne, MN.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard in June 2018; her parents; son, Dwayne in July 1979; and son-in-law, Michael Zschetzsche.

Memorials may be directed to the Luverne Hospice Cottage.