On November 25, 1952 Ronald Gene Jacobson was born to Mildred Irene (Miller) and Leo Gene Jacobson of Fontanelle, Iowa. Ron was the first born and was soon joined by a brother Robert, and sisters Barbara and Brenda. As a family, they enjoyed participating in sports, 4-H, FFA, and many other activities as they raised animals and crops on the family farm. In September 1972, Ron married Diana Jensen and soon welcomed home three daughters, Michelle, Melanie and Melissa. His daughters shared his great love, second only to family, the Iowa Hawkeyes. Ron never missed a Hawkeye game or a Green Bay Packer game, even during the birth of at least one of those daughters. When Ron wasn't watching sports he was playing them with the girls and loved seeing them grow into their own competitive spirits. Ron loved taking the girls to Adventureland and the Iowa State Fair each year. The family farmed until 1983, when Ron went to work for Bunn-O-Matic in Creston, Iowa. Ron quickly earned the nickname "Hawkeye" and made many friends during his years there. Ron and Diana divorced in 1989 and Ron showed a new level of devotion, often driving an hour for fifteen minutes with Melanie or Melissa. In 1992 Ron welcomed his first grandchild, Kayla, and quickly became the best grandpa anyone could wish for. He continued to become grandpa to Mackenzie, Colton, Courtney, Raleigh, and very recently, Olivia. Ron would also become an incredible father-in-law to Al Bennett and Cory Hodapp, teaching them that caring for his daughters would be easier if they would just let them believe they were always right! In 2002, he received the diagnosis of carcinoid tumors. In 2006, he moved to Solon to be closer to his grandchildren. He endured surgeries, treatments and drug trials to prolong his life, right up to his final days of 2014; he never stopped fighting. October 1, 2011 Ron married Patti Ashbacher and became a stepfather to Rachael, Rebecca, and Steven. Ron and Patti enjoyed being a part of New Covenant Bible Church and volunteering with the new covenant parking team, going to Hawkeye games, fishing, boating, camping and square dancing as members of the CR Rapid Eights, and playing cards. They took several trips together including trips to Hendersonville, North Carolina, the 2013 NIT tournament in New York and the 2014 Outback Bowl in Florida to see Ron's beloved Hawkeyes. He was able to spend his last Christmas in his hometown of Fontanelle, Iowa. In May 2013 Ron was able, through a generous gift from his mother, to take his entire family to Disney World and spend seven days with them, something he had always wanted to do. On January 31, 2014 Ron was welcomed into his eternal home by his father Leo, grandparents Marjorie and Fred Miller, Fred and Helen Jacobson, brother-in-law Dennis, cousins Michael and Roger, and many aunts, uncles, and friends. He will be happy to be reunited with his faithful companion, Sheltie. He leaves behind his wife Patti of Cedar Rapids, daughters Michelle (Alan) Bennett of Solon, Melanie (Jason) Gross of Cedar Rapids, Melissa (Cory) Hodapp of Iowa City, stepchildren Rachael, Rebecca, and Steven, his mother Mildred of Fontanelle, brother Bob (Tracy) Jacobson of Fontanelle, sister Barbara (the late Dennis) Cullinan of Ankeny, Brenda (Steve) Daniels of Cedar Falls. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren, Kayla and Raleigh, Mackenzie, Colton and Courtney, and his newest, Olivia. He would also want to mention how much he loved his nieces and nephews, Renee, Kristine, Shannon, Andy, Casey, Jodee, Andy, Eric, Debra, Tony, Chad, Mollie, Amy, Zach, Jeff, and Cody, and his many cousins, close friends Jim and Betty Spangler, Dean and Wanda Deemer, and Pam Bierl, Dan Richards, Mitch Sorenson, Tammy Pryor, Herman and Pat Meyer, and Jan and Mick Landgren. Ron will be missed by everyone he touched in his life. He was a constant positive, uplifting force. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on February 5, 2014 at New Covenant Bible Church in Cedar Rapids. Ron's wish was to donate his remains to medical research, so that others might learn from his experience. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to New Covenant Bible Church or Hospice of Mercy. Services will be handled by Brosh Chapel of Cedar Rapids.