Richard 'Dick' Jacobs

Richard ‘Dick’ Jacobs, age 87, of Spring Valley, passed away on Friday, January 3, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Health in Eau Claire.

Funeral service is on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Emmaus Church in Spring Valley with visitation from 10 until 11 a.m. prior to the service at the church.

  Burial will be in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Spring Valley, Wisconsin.

Follow the link below to the Emmaus Church website.  The service will be live-streamed and can be viewed on their Facebook Page or Youtube Channel. https://www.emmauschurchsv.com/. Click 'watch online', the links are at the bottom of the page.

Dick was born in Lakeside Township, Minnesota to Alden and Belle (Headley) Jacobs on October 31, 1937.  He graduated from Brainerd High School in 1955.  Dick joined the Naval Air Reserve in January of that same year.  He attended Brainerd Junior College from 1956 until 1958.  After that he went to the Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Florida, graduating in October of 1960. He was commissioned in the U.S. Marine Corps where he joined his Squadron VMA211.  He was based at El Toro Air Station from 1960 to 1963.  He was assigned flight instructor at Whiting Field in Milton, Florida.

On October 16, 1965 he married Ann Goedert in a military wedding in Jacksonville, Florida.  His next assignment was with VMA332 in Beaufort, South Carolina where his first child, Fred, was born in 1966. He was involved in the war in Viet Nam when his squadron VMA311 was sent to Chu Lai.  At one point, in March of 1967, he was assigned as forward air controller.  He was air officer in the 5th Marines in 1968.  His military career ended when he had reached the position of a Major in the military in 1968.  He then was hired by Northwest Airlines.  At that time, Eric, his second son was born.  He retired from Northwest at the age of 60 in 1997.

Dick had a wonderful life  He enjoyed playing golf and flying his Cessna.  One trip was actually to Alaska! He enjoyed being in the Civil Air Patrol in Bay City up here and at St. Augustine, Florida when he moved there to help Ann’s aging parents.  He was not outwardly affectionate, but all knew how deeply he cared for us.  After Ann’s parents passed, he moved back to Wisconsin because coming from different states, this area has always felt like ‘home’ the most.

Dick was a man with a deep faith.  He faced the possibility of death many times in his lifetime, but always face the future with honor, integrity and courage – in all this courage.  He truly believed “ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me”.  He had a profound faith in Jesus!  To quote Job, he would say “For I know that my Redeemer liveth”.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents and 6 brothers: Wayne, Clyde, Ervin, Zelmer, Loren, and Burrell; and 4 sisters: Helen, June, Lois Mack and Marvel Caouette.

Dick is survived by his wife Ann; sons Fred (Sandy) of Spring Valley; and Eric of River Falls; grandson Samuel and Jadon of Spring Valley; brothers: Harry Jacobs of Des Plaines, Illinois, and Jack Jacobs of Baxter, Minnesota; sisters-in-law Sandy Denkinger (Gary) of Virginia; Dot Goedert of Houston, Texas; and Lucy Keeling (Danny) of Frisco, Texas; and “chosen” family: Sue and Ashley Meland of Spring Valley; and Lee and Ann Lyon of Jacksonville, Florida.  He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral service is on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Emmaus Church in Spring Valley with visitation from 10 until 11 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Spring Valley, Wisconsin.

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