Keith Jacobson

keith jacobson

V. Keith Jacobson, 69, New Salem, died Aug. 5, 2014.

Keith was born June 22, 1945 in Fargo, ND to Vernon and Frances Jacobson. He was the third of six boys. He grew up in Fargo; graduated from Fargo Shanley High School and obtained a master’s of education at NDSU. He later received his Special Education Certification at Bemidji State University. After teaching special education at Mahnomen and Ada, MN while residing in Gary, MN he moved and became the principal at New Salem High School. As a Principal in Williston, and Superintendent of Schools in both Mandaree and White Shield on the Reservations, Keith did progressive work within the school system that bought positive change to many children’s lives.

He grew up being passionate about ranching and the love of horses (eating oats as a child). Keith pursued his dream of being on the plains of western North Dakota when he purchased a small ranch by New Salem, ND.  His dream of raising well-bred quarter horses became a reality. He enjoyed hunting every year with dear friends and family.  He enjoyed driving around western North Dakota reminiscing about all the deer he had once seen.  Medora was his cowboy dream and he with his family visited annually.  This is a place where he could feel like a kid and enjoy the wild life while teaching his grandchildren about the true old Wild West. Keith had a great love for his children and grandchildren. Keith married Catherine Yunker on May 29, 1965.

He is survived by his children: Brian (Shayne), Brenda, John, and David (Kristin) along with six grandchildren; Mother is Frances Jacobson (Vernon-deceased), brothers Ron (Nina), Neal (Judy), Doug (Chris), Kent (Susan), and Tim (Kim), and many nieces and nephews.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting Boulger Funeral Home.

View current weather.

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. New Salem ND
    Keith was the principal at New Salem when our son was in high school. One school term I had 3 heart surgeries in St Cloud, MN
    which took my husband and I away from our dairy farm. Sheldon had to help with the chores before and after school. He was late for school, never showed up one day because he was so worried about his mother’s surgery. Sheldon was in his office more than once while Keith offered him the support and encouragement he needed at the time. We will forever be grateful for him taking him under his wing and made sure he was doing alright while he was in school! He truly is a very compassinate person who cared a great deal about his students. He will be missed!

  2. Detroit Lakes Minnesota
    Condolences to the Jacobson Family–
    Keith was one of my hunting partners for many years. He was one of the most fun and funniest people I have ever known.
    He was knowledgeable about many subjects and was a very interesting person to talk with. Keith made my life richer and I will miss him very much. Peace to you,
    Cowboy.

  3. Alice ND
    Sad to hear that Keith passed away. Keith was well fit as an educator. Kind man, patient, and definitely loved kids. Took time out to teach me few things when he came out our way to hunt back in the day. Godspeed sir, you were a good man, will be missed.

  4. Plymouth Mn.Keith is a former classmate, teammate and friend from Shanley. He was a great athlete and a caring, funny friend. He will be missed—my family will keep Keith and his cherished family in our thoughts and prayers. Leo Collins

  5. Bismarck North Dakota
    Dear Jacobson Family,

    Condolences to your family. I work for the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce and I worked with Keith as he would send students for our Ethics Day program. He was always so easy to work with and really thought a lot of our program and the fact we would invite New Salem to attend. Please know that people you haven’t even met or even know were touched by Keith’s kindness.

    With Sympathy,
    Sally Paulson
    Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce

  6. Phoenix AZ
    God bless Keith. He was such a loving and giving man. He always made laughter wherever he went. Many years ago, he hunted with my husband and was in our wedding. He was family. Throughout his life, whether joys or struggles, he always wanted to be a good man. His memories will be with me always.

  7. Fergus Falls Mn.So sorry to hear of Keiths passing, I grew up across the street from Keith in Moorhead. Spent a lot of time at the lakes with the Jacobson family many years ago. RIP Keith.

  8. Garrison ND
    My sympathies and prayers are with the family of Mr. Jaconson. I have had the privilige of working under his leadership for the last two years. He was a kind, knowlegeable and compassisonate leader. We had many long visits about education and horses. I was fortunate to have him write a letter of recommendation for me to enter the I LEAD program to earn my Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. I am honored to have had his support. I so wish that I could attend the services to honor his life. I have considered him not only a leader, but also a friend. I will miss our visits in his office at White Shield. I will miss him a lot.

  9. Dear Family,
    You are in our prayers. I remember being at Keith’s place in New Salem with Jeremy and enjoyed the visit we had with Keith. You are a special family and I know you will be supported by your loving family.

  10. Fargo nd 58103 I grew up in Caledonia and I would play with you kydes when you came to visit your grandparents. We had a real cool tree swing and had a lot of fun. So sorry to read of your loss. Caledonia is a beautiful place and a wonderful resting home.
    My dad bought the general store from grandpa jack. So many good memories.
    God bless.

  11. New Salem ND
    You are going to be deeply missed my special friend and neighbor ! ! I am going to miss seeing you and your BEAUTIFUL horses when we I drive by your farm , it will ALWAYS be Mr. Js farm ! ! I will miss you coming over and sitting in the butcher shop visiting with you ! ! Things will never be the same here again ! You were a wonderful friend , neighbor and boss ! ! You were a wonderful principal and our kids LOVED you ! ! I’m sure Duke knocked you down and smothered you with kisses , because he was so happy to have you back with him, and now you have your Duke back and the two of you can have fun together again ! ! Best buds together again forever ! ! You will be deeply missed my friend , Love you always Labeth ! ! PS . I always looked forward to seeing all the new foals and wishing I could be the owner of one , but you know how Chuck and Jim felt about me having a horse and so I always pretended they were mine ! !

  12. New Salem ND
    You are going to be deeply missed my special friend and neighbor ! ! I will miss you coming over and sitting in the butcher shop visiting with you ! ! Things will never be the same here again ! You were a wonderful friend , neighbor and boss ! ! You were a wonderful principal and our kids LOVED you ! ! I’m sure Duke knocked you down and smothered you with kisses , because he was so happy to have you back with him, and now you have your Duke back and the two of you can have fun together again ! ! Best buds together again forever ! ! You will be deeply missed my friend , Love you always Labeth ! !

  13. new salem North Dakota
    My condolences to the Jacobson family. I had the privilege of teaching under him at New Salem High School for 6 years. He will be greatly missed

  14. FARGO NORTH DAKOTAKeith, you were the best, Best Man for us and having you in our lives and being a great friend for so many years was a blessing to us.
    We remember good times and long
    talks, trying to solve the worlds problems and laughing alot.
    You will be Gods great gaine and our great loss.
    Dear Friend we will truly miss you. We wish you and your family Gods peace and grace.
    Shirley and Don Hedlund

  15. Bismarck ND
    Our thoughts and prayers go out to Keith’s family. We were extremely blessed to share part of his life while he was at District 8 in Williston. It is hard to find those that have a passion for education that is equal to the unending kindness of the man behind it. Keith’s stories and his gentle spirit will always be remembered. We are all better people for knowing him.

  16. garrison, ND
    north dakotaI am very glad I got the chance to work with Mr Jacobson he was very kind and understanding. He really enjoyed his horses and hunting life. He talked about it all the time. My husband herman mongram enjoyed visiting with him they had horses in common. Our prayers go out to the family. He will be missed.

  17. My condolences to all of Mr. Jacobson’s Family and Friends. It was great working with him this past year in White Shield. He will be missed.

  18. Englewood FlJake was a wonderful man , and a great travel companion. Sharing his love of North Dakota
    with us, as well as exploring Alaska. He will be missed . Our thoughts & prayers are with you – Jake is at peace now

  19. Flasher North Dakota
    I am so sorry to hear of Keith’s passing. I worked with him both as a parent and as an employee at New Salem. He was such a kind, giving man. He gave of his time without asking. He was always there for my son to talk to and they did quite often. He took time when school was getting out to make sure that the students that “forgot” homework would remember before they got on the bus. He visited with both my son and I on numerous occasions on ways to help my son find success. When my son got his GED, Keith took off from school early to come see him receive his certificate. My son still talks about the fact that Mr. J cared enough to come down. I spoke with him numerous times after he left NSHS, and he always had a smile on his face, and a kind word. He was a one-in-a-million person, and he will be greatly missed by everyone he met.

  20. Williston I’m so sorry to hear about Keith’s passing. I worked with him as a board member at School District 8 in Williston, and enjoyed our time together. He was a kind and considerate man. My thoughts and prayers are with the Jacobson family.

  21. Bismarck ND
    So sorry to hear about the passing of Keith. He was a very kind and thoughtful man and I am glad I had the opportunity to work with him at District 8 School in Williston. From the moment I met him, I could tell he lived life to the fullest every day. I will never forget the warmth of his smile as he told hunting stories he’d had with his old buddy Duke and life on the farm with his horses. He was a friend and I will miss him.

  22. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Jacobson family in Keith’s passing. We both worked with Keith at District 8 in Williston. May God richly bless your precious memories of Keith, and give you comfort and peace in this difficult time.

  23. Williston Sending my thoughts and prayers to the Jacobson family. I worked with him in Williston at District #8 schools. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed. I have thought of him at times since he left Williston wondering how he was doing.

  24. Fargo Jacobson family, deeply saddened by your loss. Jake was a good friend and unique individual who blessed our lives over the years. We have many cherished memories of hunting, visiting and sharing of good times and struggles. – His life touched that of many others and we are all enriched by his love, laughter and personality. We prayed for his recovery and now pray for the peace and rest that is found in the Lord, as we know he was a believer and seeker of peace for the soul. Our hearts are heavy at this time but we are lifted up by the memories and the spirit we shared with him. Go in Peace.

    Chief and Kathy


Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle

Accessibility Tools
hide