Otto J. Jacobson

Otto John Jacobson was born on October 24, 1918 in Stanley, North Dakota to John and Gurine Jacobson, Norwegian immigrants homesteading in North Dakota. He had two older and two younger brothers: Julius, Gustav, Garfield and Norman and one older sister Ida.

Otto's father bought forty acres of land and moved the family to be a part of the Norwegian community and Lutheran church on Vashon Island, Washington in 1924. Otto graduated from Vashon High School in 1938 and attended Prairie Bible Institute in Three Hills, Alberta until he was drafted as a conscientious objector into World War II. While in the Army/ Aircorps he served as a military pharmacist with the U.S. Army Medical Corps and made two trips to the Philippine Islands. After the war, he attended Seattle Pacific College and later was employed as a bricklayer and eventually as supervisor of the maintenance department of the L.C. Foss Sunset Home.

Otto wed Dorothy Gudim on August 23, 1952 and they were married for over forty-nine years until her death in 2001. Otto and Dorothy resided on Vashon Island, Washington for six years before building a home in Shoreline. They had four children: Darla, Karen, Davis and Daniel.

His children remember their father as a man whose love for his wife and family and for the Lord was faithfully demonstrated in his gentle life. Otto's relationship with Jesus was his most important priority and through his words and actions encouraged his family in their faith. He lived simply and frugally and was content. He worked hard at everything he did, was an excellent handyman, and grew most of the flowers and tantalizing loganberries, fruit, and vegetables in the neighborhood. (Otto once commented to Pam: " I hope I'm not bored in heaven because I will always want to be in the garden.") He loved his children and was happiest with the little one in his arms as he shared stories of his childhood, his days in the army, and about the God he served. Both his children and grandchildren often fell asleep listening to him play fold songs and hymns that poured forth from his heart and his mouth organ and accordion. He prayed for his family daily and, in his last years, even through dementia robbed him of much of his ability to fully participate in family life, he could often be heard in deep in conversation with his Lord.

Otto passed away peacefully at Virginia Mason Hospital, in Seattle, on January 17, 2013 at the age of 94. Survivors include his children; Darla Sjoquist, Karen Sugiyama, David Jacobson, and Danial Jacobson; sons and daughters- in -law Steve Sjoquist, Calvin Sugiyama, Nee Luu, and Pamela Jacobson; ten grandchildren: Christina Sjoquist Medawar (Stephen), Nathan Sjoquist (Amy) and Timothy Sjoquist; Amy Sugiyama Silvey (Dan), Allen and Aaron Sugiyama; Sarah, Janna, and Eric Jacobson; and Benjamin Jacobson; a great grandchild who will be born in June 2013, and one brother Norman Jacobson.

A graveside service will be held at Floral Hills Cemetery on Thursday, January 31. Memorial gifts are suggested to the Evangelical Alliance Mission or to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

While Otto's passing leaves a huge void in the lives of his family, they rejoice in the knowledge that his mind and body are fully healed and in th confidence that he is now eternally at home with his Lord.