Michael Edward Jacobsen, 58, of Idaho Falls, passed away Thursday, July 16, 2009, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. Michael was born April 20, 1951, as the fourth child of Bill Jacobsen and Margaret Caroline Patton Jacobsen. From a young age, he was passionate about reading. He graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1969. While earning a B.S. of Psychology, he also performed eclectic studies in Philosophy, as well as other disciplines at Idaho State University. He continued on to earn a M. A. in English, then began working as an editor for EG&G. He dreamt of pursuing a Ph. D., but instead married his wife on March 22, 1978, and they started their family.

The supreme passions of his life became family, academics, and fitness. He believed in self discipline. Each day was an opportunity to learn something new. He often said, “You gotta know stuff.” Mike was convivial; he never gave up on people, always encouraging them. He loved fishing, gardening, baseball, coaching, animals, birds, and reading. He studied everyday and could speak several languages. His mental focus extended to his body through power lifting.

Survivors include his wife: Maria Cervantes Jacobsen, 56, Idaho Falls; daughter, Maria Ellen Jacobsen, 30, Boston, Massachusetts; son, Michael Edward Jacobsen, Jr., 28, Idaho Falls; daughter, Jennifer Jacobsen (Dustin) Pickett, 24, Idaho Falls; mother, Margaret Jacobsen, Idaho Falls; sisters, Carla (Mike) McDonald, Karin (B.J.) Bybee, Susan (Randy) Miller, and Bonnie Marshall, all of Idaho; brothers, Joseph (Peggy) Jacobsen of Nebraska, Bill (Josie) Jacobsen of Utah, Jon (Kathy) Jacobsen, James Jacobsen, and Tommy Jacobsen of Idaho. He was preceded in death by his father and two nephews.

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