Harold Jacobsma

Harold Jacobsma was born October 18, 1941 to Bert and Hattie (Van Maanen) Jacobsma in Rock Valley, Iowa.  He attended Rock Valley Christian School, completing 8^th grade in 1957 before he began working full time on the farm north of Rock Valley where he grew up.  On April 27, 1962, Harold married the love of his life, Glenda Feekes at the First Reformed Church in Rock Valley.  After their marriage, Harold continued to farm, staying at the family farm until 1983 when Harold and Glenda moved to a farm west of Luverne.  Harold continued farming for 2 more years and then began working at IBP in 1985.  He remained at IBP until 1997 when he began working at Bacon Hill.  Harold retired in 2004 and then moved into town with Glenda in 2008.  On Tuesday, May 30, 2023, while surrounded by his loving family, Harold passed away while receiving care at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls at the age of 81 years, 7 months, and 12 days.

Harold was an active member of the American Reformed Church in Luverne and had a lifelong love of God.  He was a very faithful, hardworking man and passed his love of God to his family.  He enjoyed camping, farming, and playing cards as well as watching races, tractor pulls, NFL, and game shows.  He was a regular attendee of the Spencer Fair with his wife and enjoyed frequent outings to get ice cream with his family.  His greatest joy in life, however, was his family.  He loved spending time with his children and found frequent excuses to share his sense of humor.  His kids lovingly remember him saying: “Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the beddie bugs bite,” each night.  To Glenda, he would say: “I love you,” each night before going to bed throughout the entirety of their 61 years of marriage. 

Left to cherish Harold’s memory are his wife, Glenda Jacobsma of Luverne; children, Karen (David) Patterson of Fonda, New York, Lois Brockey of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Melinda (David) Eekhoff of Hull, Iowa, Kevin (Kathy) Jacobsma of Luverne, Beth (Ryan) Gebauer of Madison, South Dakota, Julie Jacobsma of Cloquet, Minnesota, and Mark (Nichole) Jacobsma of Sioux Falls; 21 grandchildren, Ryan (Brittany), Ross (Jess), Matt (Andrea), Lauren, Brandon (Makenzie), Katie, Katelyn (Michael), Lexi (John), Tyler (Sydnie), Bailey, Brayden, Daniel, Adam, Andrew, Jenna, Alecs, Jarek, Trevan, Nadiya, Ayden, and Grayson; and 13 great-grandchildren, Emma, Sofia, Cayden, Trinity, Avery, Aria, Colbie, Easton, Mylee, Keean, Jordy, Myles, and Kinslee.  Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Bert and Hattie Jacobsma; son Bradley Jacobsma; grandchildren Jacob and Nathaniel Patterson; and siblings Jennie Groen, Lucy Boikema, Kate Postma, Peter Jacobsma, Gerrit Jacobsma, Robert Jacobsma, Bernard Jacobsma, and Coba Bliek.

In leiu of flowers, Harold's family request donations be made to:

Alzheimer's Associaton