The plaque dedicating Jakes Wetlands pavilion to former Town Board member Susie Jacobsen-Jackson.
Around 40 Minden residents gathered at Jake’s Wetlands on Friday to dedicate the pavilion in honor of former Town Board member Susan Jacobsen-Jackson.
Jacobsen-Jackson died on Valentine’s Day after a 14-month battle with cancer. She served on the town board for almost five years, starting out as an appointee and then was elected in 2020.
She served as vice chairwoman and chairwoman during her tenure on the board.
Born Jan. 16, 1959, to Lawrence “Jake” and Betty Jacobsen, she expressed interest in politics from an early age but didn’t hold elected office until joining the town board.
Matt Bernard, who grew up in the town, said his memories of Jacobsen-Jackson started when he was in the first grade.
“I feel like my stories are all Jacobsen family stories,” Bernard said. “I’m not a Jacobsen, but a lot of my life they had me in their house and treated me like one of them. Susie was always like that.”
Jacobsen-Jackson made the front page of The Record-Courier for setting two time records in the 25-yard freestyle and the 25-yard butterfly as a member of the Douglas Marlins Swim Team that broke a dozen Douglas County pool records, according to the July 4, 1968 edition.
“She would lead us all at the swimming pool where she was a lifeguard, where she would give us instructions and keep us squared away,” he said. “She was always a leader. That was just the way she lived. She was always an influence on me.”
Bernard said that Jacobsen-Jackson loved Jake’s Wetlands, which is named after her father, Sen. Lawrence Jacobsen, who was the longest serving legislator in Nevada history.
“She knew that this place needed a little bit more love,” he said. “I hope we can do that for Susie and for Jake. To doll this place up and not forget the people who it was for.”
Jacobsen-Jackson’s brother Tim Jacobsen led the Pledge of Allegiance.
“This Pavilion is dedicated to Susie Jacobsen-Jackson,” the plaque reads. “Susie valued God, family and this valley above all things. As you walk these paths we hope you remember: ‘There’s no place like home.’”
