MADISON - Vernon Lloyd “Vern” Jacobsen, age 80, passed away on Friday, July 15, 2022, at Oakwood Prairie Ridge Health and Rehab. He was born on May 14, 1942, in Albert Lea, Minn., to George and Minnie (Richter) Jacobsen.

In February 1947, Vern, his parents and his four siblings moved from Mansfield, Minn., to Rural Lake Geneva, Wis., during the midst of a blizzard. In Wisconsin, he attended the one-room Davidson School from 1948-1949, Como Elementary from 1949-1956 and Elkhorn High School from 1956-1960. He continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 1961-1970, graduating with a Bachelor of Business in Accounting. While in college, Vern married the love of his life, Dawn “Penny” Hare on July 26, 1969.

After graduating from UW, Vern worked as an auditor with the Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau for ten years and later as a financial consultant with the Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services. He went on to become the Internal Audit Bureau Director, Accountant and Assistant Comptroller with Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds from 1982-2001.

Vern enjoyed music and sang in Elkhorn High School Choir, St. John's Lutheran Choir, UW-Madison Men's Glee Club, Trinity Lutheran Choir and Peace Lutheran Choir. While with the Trinity Lutheran Choir, he sang in all 25 Annual Renaissance Advent/Christmas Concerts, sang in concert tours in 1979, 1986, 1994 and 1996 in Norway, Germany and into East Berlin behind the Wall, Prague, Austria, Czech Republic and Bratislava.

Vern had a love of nature and travel throughout his life. He and Penny were Wisconsin State Park Hosts in Peninsula and Mirror Lake from 2001 through 2014. They loved camping with their daughters and their families in tents, pop-up campers, fifth wheels and their motorhome. In 2011, Vern went on a week-long motorized rafting trip in the Grand Canyon. He spent fourteen years wintering for the months of January through March in Casa Grande, Ariz., and Florida. Vern toured Israel's Holy Land in June 2018, a trip of a lifetime, and traveled to Hawaii in 2014 with very special friends. He loved to bike and took bike tours in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket with dear friends as well as overseas in Italy/Austria, England and from Germany to Prague. He enjoyed many other wonderful bike rides in Wisconsin over the years.

Vern is survived by his loving wife, Penny; daughters, Kirsten (Richard) King and Julie (Andres) Rodriguez; grandchildren, Lauren and Alyssa King and Carolyn and Aleah Rodriguez; sisters, Lois Lewis, Lavonne Mueller and Carol Jacobsen; several nieces and nephews; and many beloved friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Lloyd Jacobsen; and sister, Marion McCullen.

A funeral service will be held at PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 701 S. Century Avenue, Waunakee, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 19, 2022. A visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday.

Memorials are suggested in Vern’s name to be distributed to some of his favorite charities. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761

Vernon L Jacobsen

May 14, 1942 - July 15, 2022

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