The Idaho Statesman, 02/21/08

Loraine Fielding "Whitey" Jacobsen died Monday Feb. 18, 2008 at his home after a courageous battle with cancer. Whitey was born March 24, 1926, at Montpelier, Idaho to Joseph Cowley and Ethel May Draney Jacobsen. He was the fourth of seven children. Whitey attended school at the Washington Elementary school and graduated from Montpelier High School in 1944. Immediately following graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served in W.W. II as a Navy Seabee in camp parks in California, Hawaii and Guam; building camps and airstrips. He loved boxing and as a young man was a Golden Gloves Boxer. He started his career as a heavy equipment operator and worked his way into management positions in several phosphate companies both in the U.S. and over seas. He was a member of the Lions Club, the Rotary Club, The J.C.'s, Elks, Eagles and was a Boy Scout leader. He was a high priest in the Nampa 25th Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had served as Sunday School President and in the H.P. Group leadership. He was a devoted home teacher. He was a master gardener and enjoyed sharing his harvest with his friends and neighbors. He loved to work and could not be idle. He loved puzzles and old war movies, especially favoring John Wayne. Whitey married Jean Price on Nov. 10, 1951, in Montpelier. They had three children: Stuart Jacobsen, Dan Jacobsen and Lori (Neil) Erickson. They were later divorced. Whitey married Joyce Matthews Athay on Feb. 18, 1977 in Soda Springs, Idaho. Their marriage was solemnized in the Boise Idaho LDS Temple on May 13, 1995. To this union Joyce brought three sons: Gregg (Diann) Athay, Scott (Peggy) Athay and Shawn (Melanie) Athay. Whitey was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, four sons and one daughter and their spouses, 16 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and his brothers Forrest and Larry Jacobsen. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and one sister, his son Stuart and a grandson Blake Erickson. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22 in the Nampa 25th LDS Ward Chapel, 607 West Locust, Nampa. Burial will be in Montpelier, Idaho on Saturday at noon.