Kenneth "Ken" Jacobsen's Obituary
Kenneth (Ken) Jacobsen, 76, passed away Sunday morning, March 11th, 2018 at his home in Lakeland, Florida. Ken was born in Dover, New Jersey on August 12, 1941 to Martin and Alfreda (Sommondsen) Jacobsen. He grew up in a close-knit Norwegian community in Brooklyn, New York. He met the love of his life, Judith (Judy) Pedersen, in June 1955 while attending a Christian Bible camp at Silverbay Lake George, New York. They were married in New York City on June 1, 1963. They started their new life together in a small apartment in New Jersey. Judy worked for the local phone company while Ken traveled into New York City to provide for his family doing commercial construction. Their family began to grow with the birth of their sons, Kenneth Erik Jacobsen in October 1964 and Jon Petter Jacobsen in July 1967. In 1970, after Ken had completed his service in the United States Army Reserve, he relocated his family to Lakeland, Florida where he accepted a job as a foreman for the Meachem Construction Company. He later went to work for the General Telephone & Electronics Corporation (currently Verizon Communications) until he retired in 1996. In retirement, he was contracted by W.M. Kriston & Sons, Inc. as a supervisor and inspector. Although active in retirement, Ken managed to find time for his hobbies. Having worked his whole life with his hands, Ken had a knack for restoring and repairing homes and classic automobiles—specifically his Ford Bronco. Ken and Judy worshipped at the Evangelical Free Church of Lakeland.
Ken is survived by his adoring wife of 55 years, Judy; the Erik and Renee Jacobsen family, including their six children, Jessica (married to Randall Raban, parents of Holland and William Raban), Christian (married to Perry Nielson), Kate, Elizabeth, Mary, and John Preston; and the Jon and Christine Jacobsen family, including their two children, Emily and Thomas.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at Gentry Morrison Funeral Home, 3350 Mall Hill Rd., Lakeland. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please consider a donation to Heartland Church, Youth Activities, 225 Ave B, NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881 or online at www.heartchurch.org.
What’s your fondest memory of Kenneth?
What’s a lesson you learned from Kenneth?
Share a story where Kenneth's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Kenneth you’ll never forget.
How did Kenneth make you smile?