Memorial Service : 10:30 AM, Friday, July 10, 2020 at Hope Evangelical Free Church in Fertile, MN, following all of the Minnesota and CDC COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. All are encouraged to wear a mask.

Visitation: One hour before the service.

Please view our guestbook and share c ondolences online for the family.

David W. Jacobson, 72, of Fertile, MN, passed away at Vibra Hospital in Fargo, ND, on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. David was born January 17, 1948, to Alfred J. Jacobson and Gladys (Eggen) Jacobson. He grew up on a farm in Woodside Township and was baptized and confirmed at Maple Lake Lutheran Church. He had a busy childhood filled with cars, motorbikes, and helping his dad with farm work. He graduated from Fertile High School in 1967. In his teenage years he worked as a flagman for crop spraying and at gas stations in Fertile pumping gas and cleaning cars. He was always very particular about his cars and they were always shiny and immaculate.

In February 1969, Dave enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was immensely proud of his service to our country and a true patriot. On September 20th of that same year, he married his high school sweetheart, Susan Johnson, and they lived in Colorado Springs until his discharge from the Army. After moving to St. Paul in 1971, he sold industrial machines and air tools.

Dave's true calling was realized when his daughter, and later a son were born. He was the best dad ever. Dave and Sue chose to move to Fertile in 1977 to raise their family. Dave had many roles in the Fertile community of which school bus driving was his favorite. He drove for Fertile-Beltrami students and sports teams for over 20 years. He loved his bus kids and they loved him. He enjoyed helping local farmers with harvest each fall and always jumped at the opportunity to give anyone young or old a ride in the combine. He was a fire fighter with the Fertile Fire Department and an EMT with County EMS. He had a landscaping business for many years and his work can be seen in many places around Fertile, around the lakes, and all around the area. Later in life Dave drove "THE Bus" for Tri Valley Transportation in Bagley. He developed a close relationship with many of his riders and missed them when he could no longer drive.

Dave's greatest legacy is his love for his family. He was a faithful husband and devoted father. Grandchildren were the blessed bonus that came with getting older. He loved his grandchildren passionately. There was nothing he would rather do than be with his grandkids. He was also dearly loved by his nieces and nephews. He was Uncle Dave who taught them all kinds of things like driving, shooting, hunting, and how to receive unconditional love. He never judged, only supported.

Dave is survived by his wife Susan; daughter, Kirsten (Ross) Engelstad, and their children, Grace, Brielle, and Tanner, Ada, MN; son, Mark Jacobson and special friend Lacy Casavan and Lillianna, Fertile, MN; mother in law, Karen Johnson, Fertile, MN; sister, Maxine Williams, Detroit, MI; brothers, Maynard (Joan) Jacobson, Lake Odessa, MI; Gerald (Lynn) Jacobson, Fertile, MN; many brothers and sisters in law; nieces; nephews; grand-nieces and nephews; and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents.