Gerald L "Jake" Jacobson

Gerald L. “Jake” Jacobsen, passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2017, at his home in Missoula. He was born on December 21, 1942, in Missoula to Harold and Hazel Jacobsen.
Jake’s early years were spent on the family ranch near Ovando. He graduated from Missoula County High School in 1960 and then received his Business Administration degree from the University of Montana, where he was affiliated with the Sigma Nu fraternity.
His Forest Service career began as a smokejumper in 1963. He retired from the Northern Region Regional Office in Missoula in 1998 after 33 years of service as a Personnel Specialist and as the Ops Chief on a Type I Fire Incident Management Team.
Jake was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Grizzly Scholarship Association, National Smokejumper Association, Hellgate Hunters & Anglers, and Montana Walleyes Unlimited. He was also a former member of the Montana Officials Association, Montana Bowhunters Association, and Idaho Salmon and Steelhead Unlimited.
Jake particularly enjoyed trips to Hawaii with his wife Kristi, Grizzly football and basketball games, golfing, snowmobiling, hunting, and fishing with family and friends. Times he spent with his daughters and grandchildren were very important to him.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife Kristi at the family home; his three daughters Sandi (Mike) Sandry of Missoula, Kim (Courtney) Herzog of Rapelje, and Stacie (Travis) Cline of Drummond; and sister Carol Ann Jacobsen of Helena. Jake was very proud of his six grandchildren: Marlee and Dylan Sandry, Trevor and Ty Herzog, and Charlee and Remington Cline. He is also survived by Randy (Jean) Vanderwall, Mark (Jessica) Vanderwall and family all of Grangeville, ID, and Jason Vanderwall and family of Missoula, MT.
In addition to family, Jake will be sorely missed by so many people who were fortunate enough to call him their friend.
Memorials in Jake’s memory may be sent to Grizzly Scholarship Association, University of Montana Adams Center 139, Missoula MT 59812, or the Blackfoot Challenge, Box 103, Ovando, MT 59854.
A service will be held on Tuesday, March 7 at 1 p.m. at the Garden City Funeral Home at 1705 West Broadway. A light lunch and reception will immediately follow the service.



Jake requested this prayer be included in his obituary:
A Fisherman’s Prayer
God grant that I may live to fish,
Until my dying day,
And when it comes to my last cast,
I then most humbly pray,
When in the Lord’s safe landing net,
I’m peacefully asleep,
That in his mercy I be judged,
As big enough to keep.
Auth