Jacobson, Matthew J. 1978-2016

JACOBSON, SUMMERS, WIDNER

Posted By: Linda Ziemann (email)
Date: 8/4/2018 at 10:02:52

Matthew J. Jacobson, 38, of Le Mars, died at his home Monday, Aug. 1, 2016, following a hard fought battle with alcohol addiction.

Matthew Jordan Jacobson was born on Jan. 6, 1978 to John Jacobson and Heidi (Summers) Widner in Cedar Falls. The family moved to Le Mars when Matthew was in grade school. He attended Le Mars Community High School and graduated in 1996.

He continued his education and played college football at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minnesota. He graduated college with a bachelor's in sociology and justice administration.

He was employed as a youth care worker at Kid's Peace in Worthington, Minnesota; as a juvenile service specialist at Douglas County Juvenile Assessment Center/County Attorney's Office in Omaha, Nebraska; as an adolescent counselor at the South Dakota Human Service Center - Michelson Center for Neurosciences in Yankton, South Dakota, and as an English specialist at Etonkids International Education Group in Beijing, China.

He enjoyed fishing, coin collecting, camping and spending time with his niece and nephew. He spent several summers "island hopping" with his father, nephew Zach, and "little brother" Gavin Walsh along the Missouri River where they would search for buffalo and Indian artifacts.

He loved animals, rescued strays and had many different pets over the years. He was in 4-H as a youth showing cattle and other animals at the county and state fairs.

Matthew was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes basketball and football fan, and a Minnesota Vikings fan. He loved to talk about college football and politics, had strong opinions and enjoyed spirited discussions about both.

He was a kind, caring and generous man loved by family and friends.

Matthew is survived by his father, John (Patty Mansfield) Jacobson of Le Mars; mother, Heidi (Dennis) Widner of Sioux City; sister, Kelsea Jacobson; brother, T.J. Jacobson; nephew, Zach Friedel; niece, Emmery Jacobson; maternal grandmother, Anita Summers; uncle, Jim Jacobson of Mason City; aunts: Rowena (Barry) Fenstermacher of Millerton, New York, Sylvi (Shelly) Summers-Klaas of Davenport and Kay Jacobson of Rowan; fiance, Dale Stout of Las Vegas, Nevada and cousins: Cortney and Samantha Jacobson, Tori (Cody) Tebbit and Ashley (Paul) Meyer; and many other relatives.

Matthew was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Darwyne and Nona Jacobson; and his maternal grandfather, Ernest Summers.

A Celebration of Life will be at 4 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 7, at Rexwinkel - Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars. Visitation with the family will be from 1 p.m. until the start of the service. Abiding by Matt's wishes he will be cremated with burial at a later date.

~Source: Funeral home obituary