Gerald D. "Jerry" Jacobson, 79, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, formerly of Ray, N.D., departed this life Oct. 10, 2014, at home, surrounded by loved ones.

Jerry was born Feb. 17, 1935, in Ray, N.D., the son and fifth of seven children to Lloyd Jacobson and Ethel Anderson Jacobson. He attended school in Ray, and in 1953 joined the Air Force for four years.

Jerry was employed by Jacobson Construction, building grain elevators from age 16 until 1959 when his father died, then he and his brothers managed the company - constructing hundreds of elevators across the U.S. and Canada.

In February of 1959 he married Jordyce Rosenvold of Ray. They lived in Ray, Williston, and Bismarck, N.D., until 1986 when they moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. While in Idaho he worked for J-Sons Construction, of Bismarck, N.D., and helped his wife in her antique shop, refinishing antiques.

In pursuit of his passions, the history of World War II and his family genealogy, Jerry made many trips to Europe where he met relatives in Norway and Sweden, and traced many of the battlefields and routes of the war. The most meaningful times were spent cheering on his grandchildren in their many endeavors. He was an avid "Zag" fan.

Jerry had a fun, loving personality and a great sense of humor. He loved cooking for his family and friends.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife Jordyce, his parents, brothers Don Jacobson and Rodney Jacobson, sisters Joanne Aardahl and Marilyn Holland, brother-in-law Stan Aardahl, and sister-in-law Audrey Soine Jacobson.

Jerry is survived by his three sons, Wally (Tamara) Jacobson of Hayden Lake, Idaho, Grant (Lisa) Jacobson of Post Falls, Idaho, and Scott (Ellen) Jacobson of Auckland, New Zealand; grandchildren Jordan (Megan) Jacobson of Kirkland, Wash., Justin Jacobson of Belgrade, Mont., Garrick Jacobson of Aurora, Colo., Sonja Jacobson of Bozeman, Mont.; step-grandchildren Toland (Mande) Taylor of Pensacola, Fla., and Tara (Matthew) Shochat of Los Angeles, Calif., step-great-grandchild Tylan Taylor of Pensacola, Fla., newly born great-grandchild, Sydney Jacobson of Kirkland, Wash.; close friend and neighbor, Chris Baker of Coeur d'Alene; sisters Phyllis Amb of Woodburn, Ore., Judy (Ron) Olson of Garrison, N.D., sister-in-law Carol Jacobson of Bismarck, N.D., and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jerry will be missed by all.

A memorial gathering will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 600 W. Hubbard Street, No. 43, Coeur d'Alene. His funeral will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Ray Lutheran Church in Ray, N.D. Interment will be at Sunset Rest Cemetery in Ray.

Memorials may be directed to either Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835 or Homeless Veterans Outreach Center, 705 W. Second Ave., Spokane, WA, 99201-4412.

Please visit Jerry's online memorial at www.belltowerfuneralhome.com.