Dr. Lloyd 'Jake' Jacobson, 89, of Kenyon, died Tuesday, December 25, 2012 at his home. Jake was born March 9, 1923 in Madison, the son of Jacob and Hilda (Larson) Jacobson. Jake graduated from Madison High School in Madison, in 1941 as valedictorian of his class. He was involved in athletics and student activities. His leadership and scholarly abilities and achievements had already been demonstrated as he entered St. Olaf College, in Northfield, in 1942, after working in a bank for a year after graduating from high school. Jake''s education at St. Olaf College was interrupted after one year when he entered the U.S. Army Air Force, where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant and served from 1943 to 1945. He was a navigator on B-24 bombers and flew the 'hump' from India to China and bombing missions. While over China, he had three emergency parachute bail-outs, the last time when the plane was just 500 feet from crashing. Before Jake went overseas, he became engaged to Ruth Skinsness. Although Ruth grew up in China, where her father was a medical missionary, she and Jake met at St. Olaf where she was majoring in art. They were married on January 26th, 1945. After his discharge from the U.S. Army Air Force, Jake studied for a year at the University of Chicago and then a year at St. Olaf College before enrolling in the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 1947. He graduated first in his class in 1951. Jake said that Melvin Sletten, his family dentist from Madison, had a powerful influence on his becoming a dentist. Jake said, 'Because of the image of he (Dr. Sletten) portrayed and through conversation with him, I knew I wanted to be a dentist.' Jake has long been active in his community and church and in organized dentistry. He served six years as the secretary-treasurer of Minnesota''s Southeastern District and was its president in 1976-77. He is a past president of the Rice County dental group and is a member of the American Academy of General Dentistry. Jacobson has been a member of numerous committees of the Minnesota Dental Association and was a treasurer of the MDA from 1980-1986. During Jake''s 40 years in Kenyon, he has made an impressive record of civic accomplishments: treasurer of the school board for three years; treasurer of the Kenyon Development Association from 1955 to 1960; post commander of the American Legion and member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars; president of the Kenyon Area United Fund in the early 1960''s; member of the advisory board at Rochester Community College Dental Assisting Program; president of the Lions Club in 1953-54 as well as district cabinet secretary for the Lions in 1976-77; finance chairman for Representative Steve Sviggum and delegate to the Republican State Convention; and member of the Lutheran Welfare District Committee. Jake has served nine years on the church council of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenyon and was its president three times and a Sunday School teacher for twenty years. He was a delegate to the National Church Council of the American Lutheran Church from 1961 to 1974, and a participant in numerous other local and national church activities. Jake, in 1962, organized a Lay School of Theology for the SE Minnesota District of the ALC and became the first Dean of that organization serving from 1962-64. Jake has been the recipient of numerous awards. He was accorded the Service Award for his thirteen years on the American Lutheran Church National, receiving the Outstanding Alumni Award from St. Olaf College in 1973, was elected Fellow of the International College of Dentists in 1971, was selected Kenyon''s Outstanding Citizen in June, 1986, and was given the WCCO Good Neighbor Award on August 26, 1986. Jake received the 1987 Ambert B. Hall Award for his 'high quality and empathetic service as a general practitioner of dentistry' and for his exceptions contributions to organized dentistry and to his community, church, and country. Jake retired in 1991, wintered in Mesa, AZ where he and his wife persued their hobbies, wood turning, stamp collecting, and silversmithing. He enjoyed dentistry so much, it did not feel like work it felt more like a hobby. Jake liked to visit with others; and no matter where he was he could find someone he knew to visit with. He is survived by his wife Ruth Jacobson of Kenyon; children, Rolf (and Virginia) Jacobson of St. Cloud, Kathy (and Tom) Benson of Bellevue, WA; Heidi (and Briar) Diggs of Missoula, MT; grandchildren, Levi (and Janet) Diggs, Ali Benson, Taylor Diggs, Chelsea Benson, Brian Jacobson, Tanner Diggs, Katie Jacobson; great grandchild, Landon Diggs; sister, Jean (and Phil) Maus. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Roselle (John) Schulz. Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home, Kenyon on Saturday, December 29, 2012 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM and at First Evangelical Lutheran Church on Sunday from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM . Funeral services will be held December 30, 2012 at 2:00 PM at First Evangelical Lutheran Church with The Reverend Luther Mathsen officiating. Interment will be in the Kenyon Cemetery in Kenyon. Memorials are preferred to the family or donors choice. Visitation: 12/29/2012 14:00 12/29/2012 17:00 Service: and from 12:30 to 2:00 on Sunday at First Evangelical Lutheran Church 12/30/2012 14:00