Obituary: Lionel “Dewey” Duane Jacobsen

December 22, 1923 ~ November 26, 2021

Lionel “Dewey” Duane Jacobsen, 97, died on Friday, November 26, 2021 at his home on Washington Island surrounded by his family. He was proud to be not only the oldest living Island resident, but also the last living World War II Veteran on the Island.

He was born December 22, 1923 on Washington Island, son of the late William Volney and Emilie “Millie” (Koyen) Jacobsen. Dewey grew up on the family dairy farm run by his father. Eventually, he would take over and continue the farming legacy, first as a dairy farm and later as a beef cattle farm. He was also the tax assessor for many years, volunteer fireman for over 20 years, and deputy conservation warden. He was a lifelong member of the Washington Island American Legion Post.

Dewey was inducted into the United States Army in May of 1945. He proudly served his country during World War II and was honorably discharged in January of 1947.

On April 21, 1990, Dewey and Mildred Johanna (Koebel) Goodman were united in marriage. They loved dancing, traveling, and hosting family and friends in their Washington Island home. They spent 31 wonderful years together before she preceded him in death on September 18, 2021.

Dewey attended Trinity Ev. Lutheran and Bethel Baptist Churches and was baptized in the pure waters of Lake Michigan on July 19, 2011.

He will be missed by his son, Jens (Becky) Jacobsen; stepson, Matthew (Jill) Goodman; stepdaughters, Ruth Wieting and Katharyn Moore; stepdaughters-in-law, Debra Goodman and Patti Goodman; 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary Jergenson and LaVonne Mann; and his first wife and mother of his son, Elizabeth Holmes.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Millie Jacobsen; wife, Mildred Jacobsen; sister, Jane (Stuart) Sorensen; sons-in-law, Norman Goodman, Paul Goodman, and John Wieting; great-granddaughter, Katherine Frett; brothers-in-law, Jerome Mann, Walter Jorgenson, Roy Koebel, and Norbert Koebel; and sister-in-law, Lorraine Hunick. 

A Memorial Service to honor Dewey’s life will be held on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at Bethel Baptist Church at 12:00 p.m. He will be laid to rest in the Washington Island Town Cemetery at a later date.

Visitation for family and friends will be held at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the service.

Dewey’s family wishes to express a heartfelt thank you Unity Hospice and his caregivers, Brenda Cornell and Marlene Johnson, for their compassion and support.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Dewey’s name to Washington Island Baseball Team or Red Barn Washington Island.

Casperson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Sister Bay is assisting the family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Dewey may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.