Richard W. Jacobson, 71, of Stewartville and formerly of Grand Meadow, died Monday Oct. 12, 2009 at the Stewartville Care Center.

Richard’s cause of death was ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), which he was diagnosed with in 2007.

Richard was born June 14, 1937 in Grand Meadow. He grew up on the family farm in rural Grand Meadow. He attended rural school and high school at Grand Meadow, Class of 1956.

He was married June 10, 1950 to Dorothy Merkel at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They were later divorced.

He married Judith Strand Nov. 3, 1996. She passed away Aug. 13, 1999.

Richard farmed for more than 30 years in the Grand Meadow area. He then became involved in missionary service. This service took him to Central America, Africa, Russia and around the world. He maintained his home in the Grand Meadow and Stewartville areas. In recent years, before his illness, he was a willing volunteer at the Ironwood Christian Ranch of Stewartville. Over the years he developed a strong attachment for the less fortunate children of the world.

Richard was a resident at the Stewartville Care Center for two years.

Richard W. Jacobson’s body was donated to Mayo Clinic research.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Judy.

He is survived by his daughter Christine (Rahn) Brager of Ventura, Iowa; two sons, Bradley (LuAnn) Jacobson of Blair, Neb. and Dan (Deb) Jacobson of Omaha, Neb.; five stepdaughters, Ramona Opitz, Judy Schouweker, Sheila Brockhaus, Jodi Thome, Deb Strabeck; longtime friends from Costa Rica, Shirley Jimemenz and Ludy Hanlon; several grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and one brother, Ronald (Kay) Jacobson of Rochester.

A memorial service will be held at Christ United Methodist Church in Rochester Saturday Oct. 17, 2009 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Amanda Larsen officiating. Interment will take place at a later date. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. to the time of the service at the church on Saturday morning. Griffin-Gray Funeral Home of Stewartville is assisting the family with arrangements.