Rod Jacobson

Rodney D. Jacobson, 79, died January 16, 2012, at his home after a brief battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm Saturday, January 21, at Charity Lutheran Church, 120 Aspen Avenue, Bismarck, with Rev. Randy Upgren and Rev. Scott Bauman officiating. A prayer service and gathering will be held at 7:00 pm Friday, January 20, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Graveside services will be held in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Rod was born May 19, 1932, to Lloyd and Ethel Anderson Jacobson in Ray, ND, the third of seven children. He graduated from Ray High School in 1951, and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1952. He was stationed at Ellsworth Air Base in Rapid City, SD. Rod attended North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton and Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis. In 1959, after the death of his father, Rod and his two brothers carried on with the family business, Jacobson and Sons Construction. On December 5, 1969, Rod married the love of his life, Carol Rosenvold LaBere in Minot, ND. They made their home in Bismarck and shared a life rich in blessings together. In 1985, he formed a new construction company, J-Sons, with his three sons. He retired from that company in 1999. Rod embraced life with enthusiasm and optimism. He had an extraordinary ability to inspire others to better themselves. A truly creative problem-solver, he was always supportive of people rising to new challenges and striving to do good things in life. Whatever Rod did or engaged in, he did with passion. He loved to work. He loved current events, his church, politics, the Rocky Mountains at Big Sky, MT, Duke basketball, his Norwegian heritage, design and construction of any sort, and especially any time spent with his family gathered around him. Rod role-modeled an appreciation of time and life and love. A life-long enthusiasm for World War II history led to a trip of a lifetime. In 2007, Rod escorted his grandchildren through seven European countries, visiting many historic sites and teaching them respect and adoration of their American citizenship. The trip concluded in Norway at their ancestral home. Sharing this experience with his grandchildren was a true highlight of his life. Rod's passion for work continued until the time of his passing and was surpassed only by his love for his Heavenly Father, his wife, children and grandchildren. Rod is survived by his wife, Carol; three sons, Larry Cindy, Bismarck, Mike Cindy, Bismarck, and Mark Lori, Loveland, CO; three daughters, Michelle, Bismarck, Debra and Kathleen, both of Williston; grandchildren, Ryan, Brent and Jared LaBere, Derek Heather and Daren LaBere, Carrie Josiah Thunshelle, Lars, Stefan, Rikka LaBere, Thea Kyle Wickey, Jacob, Anna, and Grace Geiermann; great-granddaughter Lucy LaBere; two brothers; two sisters and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.

Rod Jacobson

May 19, 1932 - January 16, 2012