Ernie John Jacobson of Cohasset died on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013. Ernie was 69 when he passed away while hunting at Mallard Bay Camp, Dora Lake, doing what he loved at one of his favorite places in the world.

Ernie was born Jan. 20, 1944, in St. James to Ernest and Rosella Jacobson, the oldest of six children. He graduated high school in 1962 from Grand Rapids Senior High School. He attended ICC for two years, continuing on to the University of Minnesota where he received his degree in pharmacy. He worked at Olson Brothers Drug in Edina. In 1975, Ernie moved back to Grand Rapids where he became co-owner of Reed Drug. He became the sole owner of Reed’s in the early ’90s and retired in 2012. Ernie married Jean Gagner on Sept. 9, 1967. They had three amazing children, John, Scott and Andrea. He later married Trina Fuhrman on March 3, 2001, and truly embraced the opportunity of being a step-dad to Sammy and Braidy Swanson.

Ernie Jacobson lived life to the fullest. He was devoted to his family, friends, faith and community. After breaking his neck at age 11 and spending the next year in a body cast and halo, Ernie embraced a real passion for living. He could often be found with friends and family in a duck blind, on a deer stand, at a poker table or fishing in Canada. He had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed flying his Cessna 185. He was charismatic, enjoying music and a quick turn on the dance floor. He loved the adventure that came with traveling the world. While Ernie was grateful for all the blessings in his life, his greatest joy came in spending time with his wife, Trina, and his children, stepchildren and 15 grandchildren. He found happiness while teaching them how to catch a fish, make the perfect s’more, and pick an apple from his orchard just the right way. He never missed an opportunity to make them “grandpa pancakes” and hot cocoa.

Ernie loved everything about Grand Rapids and enjoyed giving back to the community that he felt gave him so much. Ernie co-founded Tall Timber Days, served as president of the Chamber of Commerce, was a Lions Club member and an active member of Rapids 2000 Community Development. He was a member of the Mallard Bay Hunting Camp and Wabigama Hunting Camp. As a member of the Grand Rapids Players, he proudly entertained audiences in many performances including “Paint Your Wagon” and “Cactus Flower.”

Preceding him in death were his parents, Ernest and Rose; nephews Karl and Todd; and nieces Rosemary and Onalee.

He is survived by his wife, Trina; children John (Stephanie), Scott (Linda) and Andrea (Rusty) Kuhl; step-children Samantha and Braidy; grandchildren (John’s) Jack, Julia, Henry, George, Elizabeth, Frederick, (Scott’s) Tate, Dane, Evyn and (Andrea’s) Ava, Maysa, Noah, Ainsley, Cameron and Tucker; brothers Larry (Connie), Mark (Sue), Paul (Sharon) and Bob; sister, Nancy (Tim) Ramey; uncle and aunt Wayne and Corrine Jacobson; aunt Vi Anderson; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Ernie will be missed by many dear friends, including his best friends, Ron and Trudie Enright.

A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. The Rev. Megan Crouch will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to EJJ Memorial, care of the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation, 350 NW 1st Ave., Suite E, Grand Rapids, MN 55744.

Arrangements by Rowe Funeral Home in Grand Rapids.

Additional information and an online guestbook can be found at www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.