Betty Marie Jacobsen, 96, passed away February 18, 2025, in Gardnerville, NV, after a long and beautiful life. Betty was born August 5, 1928, to Oscar and Marie Lundergreen in Gardnerville, the oldest of 3 children. She graduated from Douglas High School in 1946 where she was a 4-year varsity letter winner in girls’ basketball. She married the late State Senator Lawrence Jacobsen in 1951. Together they raised 4 children, Bruce, Gary, Susan, and Tim.
Lawrence and Betty owned and operated the Union 76 Bulk Oil Plant and Jacobsen Distributing, where Carson Valley Inn now sits. Betty was very active in her community and cared deeply about Douglas County. She sat on the Minden Town Board, Douglas County School Board, Douglas County Republican Central Committee, was a member of both the Sierra Nevada Republican Women’s group and Douglas County Women’s Republican group. Betty was also a member of Minden Fortnightly.
But her greatest joy was her family, especially her grandchildren. Rare was a time when you’d find an empty parking spot in Mom and Dad’s driveway. One, two, three, or all of us kids, and friends and neighbors alike, would stop in for coffee or an iced tea to check on the daily Minden/G’ville news or Legislative happenings. The grandsons, too, shared in those special times, with jars full of pretzels and cookies waiting for young boys’ grubby hands, followed by a chat at the dining room table, before heading back to Minden Park for another game of wiffle ball, football, or cruising on bikes.
For well over 20 years, you could find Grandma patiently waiting in her car at the end of the school day, for at least one of her grandsons to get their ride home. She knew Gardnerville Elementary and Minden Elementary’s parking lots well. These are the things Betty cherished most.
Betty is survived by sons: Bruce, Gary (Linda), Tim (Robbi), son-in-law, Lance Jackson, grandsons: Bruce (Sara) Jacobsen, Matt (Kayla) Jacobsen, Christopher and Eric Erardy, Brian Jacobsen, Timmy and Joey Jacobsen, step-granddaughter, Stacia Alameida, sister, Shellie McCreary. Great grandchildren: Lauren and Brooks Jacobsen, and Gemma and Gatlin Jacobsen. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Lawrence, infant son, Gary, daughter, Susan Jackson, daughter-in-law, Debbie Jacobsen, and brother, Gary Lundergreen.
Funeral services will be held on Sat., March 8, at 1:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church,1480 Douglas Ave., Gardnerville, NV.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to: Town of Minden- Jake’s Wetlands 1627 Carval Ct. Minden, NV 89423 Or drop off at the Town of Minden office
Your gift is very much appreciated. We thank you for your kindness and generosity. We hope that through endearing dedication and commitment to Jake’s Wetlands, you take advantage of its beauty and natural wonder, just as both Jake and Betty would want. Sincerely, The Family of Betty Jacobsen