Jodi Lynn Jacobsen

Jodi Lynn Jacobsen, age 51, passed away June 7, 2020.

She was born on August 10, 1968 to Don and Shirin (Donlin) Gardiner.

In Jodi's early years she was an educator in the Council Bluffs area and later went on to become an elementary principal. She moved on to pharmaceutical sales working for BMS and AstraZeneca until her cancer diagnosis, but never lost her love of teaching and learning. She continued to be a mentor and source of strength to her family, friends, and anyone close to her. Jodi did not know a stranger. She took a genuine interest in everyone she met.

Jodi loved the sun, water, tending to her flowers, and watching sunsets. She enjoyed planning and hosting social gatherings where she could spend time with her friends and family. Jodi was the life of the party even though that was never her intent. She was always more interested in others' enjoyment and was always thinking of others, putting their needs before her own. She was a wonderful, loving and giving mom and friend. Jodi never lost a friend but rather kept them with her as she moved through her life changes thus bringing groups of people together that otherwise may have never met. She dearly loved her friends.

Her grandchildren were the light of her life and she would spend countless hours teaching and playing with them. She loved watching her daughters participate in sports, but especially loved softball.

Most of all, Jodi was a very devoted wife and loved her husband and children with her whole heart. Her greatest achievement was raising three daughters to become successful and compassionate women, just like her.

Jodi is survived by her husband, Kevin Jacobsen; children, Kasey Smith (Eric), Morgan Birdwell (Cody), Hunter Nelsen and Mattie Wolfe (Abe); grandchildren, Gavin Harper and Sawyer Smith; father, Don Gardiner (Mona); mother, Shirin Taylor (Wayne); sister, Tina Nocita and family; In-laws, Wayne and Becky Jacobsen and Robb Jacobsen and family.

Visitation is 2:00-6:00 PM on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home, no family will be present. Funeral Service is 11:00 AM at the Palace Event Center in Treynor, Iowa on Thursday, June 11, 2020. Interment is in Graceland Cemetery in Avoca, Iowa. The family will direct memorials in her honor.