Edward Carl Jacobsen passed away on April 16, 2023, at age 90.
Ed was born on Sept. 4, 1932, at home in Hancock, Wisconsin. He grew up in Wisconsin Rapids and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1950. He attained a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he later was inducted into the athletic hall of fame for his track record.
He met his future wife of 67 years, Mary Louise Lund, at college. She shared his love of adventure. He was drafted into the Army and after returning in 1956, he attained a master’s degree in math education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
He taught math at Robert College in Istanbul, Turkey, where his daughters, Ann Louise and Lisa were born, for six years. He returned to the States for his Ph.D. in math education at the University of Kansas-Lawrence, where his third daughter, Greta, was born. He and his family moved to Kenya and Swaziland where he worked for UNESCO teaching math education.
In 1976 he moved with his family to UNESCO headquarters in Paris where he was responsible for math education. Ed enjoyed camping with his family in Africa and Europe. He hiked up Mt. Kenya and Mt. Fuji, and skied in the Alps. He rode horses and a motorcycle in Africa, went kayaking on the Seine in Paris and canoeing with his family down the Wisconsin River.
Following his retirement, Ed and family moved to a dome home in the woods near Siren, Wisconsin. He continued to work with mathematics education committees in several South American countries. For his work in South America he was awarded the prestigious Luis Santa Medal. Ed enjoyed ham radio, wood turning, woodwork, birding and gardening. In 2011, he was elected town chairman of LaFollette. This became a much bigger job than he’d anticipated, as the Siren tornado occurred during his term. He used his radio to help organize relief efforts.
Ed is survived by his wife, Mary Louise Lund Jacobsen; daughter, Lisa Jacobsen Rockwood, her husband, Jeff; daughter, Greta Jacobsen Strobel; five grandsons, Steve Rockwood (Priscilla), Sean Murry, Nick Murry, Jesse Strobel (Katie), Jake Strobel; and many friends.
A memorial service will be held at Skinner Funeral Home in Shell Lake, Wisconsin, on Saturday, April 29, at 2 p.m.
