John Jacobson Obituary

Dr. John Raymond Jacobson

April 27, 1939 - January 15, 2025

Dr. John Raymond Jacobson of Butte, Mont. passed away at St. James Hospital on Jan. 15, 2025 after a short illness. He was surrounded by all of his grandchildren, many of his great grandchildren, his daughters and many members of his family and close friends. The care he received at St. James Hospital was extraordinarily competent and compassionate. Thank you to all who made him comfortable and ensured his time was peaceful, especially the staff on the third floor.

John was born on April 27, 1939 in Cumberland, Wis., the son of Raymond and Marion Jacobson. He was raised and educated in Cumberland where he was active in sports, music and was an Eagle Scout.

John's love of the outdoors and fishing, hunting and skiing was nurtured on adventures with his parents and his brother, Lee in the Wisconsin woods. The large extended family, including a pack of cousins, enjoyed wonderful holiday celebrations in Cumberland.

He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wis. in 1961 and then went to Marquette Medical School in Milwaukee, Wis.

It was in Milwaukee that John met his wife, Judith Helen Haxton. The couple married on Nov. 30, 1963 and welcomed their first child, Jo Dee, in Milwaukee.

After earning his medical degree from Marquette Medical School in 1966, the family moved cross county, tent camping along the way including in Yellowstone Park, to San Francisco, where John completed his internship at St. Mary's Hospital. They welcomed their second child, Eric Lee, in San Francisco.

After completing his internship in 1967, the family moved cross country again to Readfield, Maine, where John served in the Public Health Service. They welcomed their third child, Wendy Susan, in Maine.

In 1969, the family moved to the Midwest, closer to extended family, calling White Bear Lake, Minn. home while John completed a residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Minnesota, Board Certified, followed by a Fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of Minnesota, Board Certified.

In 1973 the family moved West to Butte, Mont., John and Judy's adopted "hometown" and a community they passionately cherished. This was their final move.

John practiced medicine at Rocky Mountain Clinic and St. James Hospital until his retirement in 2004.

Montana was the perfect place to share his passion for fishing, floating, camping, hunting and skiing with his family, extended family and friends. We've heard countless stories of John patiently guiding newcomers in flyfishing, lessons that evolved into a shared passion. He loved accompanying young and season hunters on the Van Deren Ranch near Dillon, especially his grandchildren. John earned the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep Grand Slam Award in 2005.

John was a devoted healthcare provider to thousands of patients during his career, with a reputation as a kind, compassionate doctor and coworker.

His devotion to his family, however, was his priority. John was his children's biggest fan in all of their activities, always with a front seat in the stands and audience. He was Judy's greatest supporter in her public service pursuits, knocking on doors, putting up and taking down campaign signs and holding down the home front while she was away.

That devotion continued as his family grew and he took advantage of every opportunity to cheer on his grandchildren at their activities, from recitals to music performances and sports competition to theater. This spring, he took in a couple of a great-grandson's t-ball games, again, from a front seat.

John's dedication for his first hometown, Cumberland, Wis. was rock solid. He was honored to be recognized by Cumberland High School as a Graduate of Distinction in 2012 for his many years of leading medical volunteer teams in Honduras, one that included his oldest granddaughter, and helping secure an ambulance for a community there. The Cumberland High School Class of 2012 included John's great nephew Eric Turcott. The nominating committee may have regretted their choice, however, when John encouraged the graduates to toss their caps in the air, promising to pay the fine for any and all of the 70 students who took him up on the forbidden action.

John was predeceased by his parents; mother-in-law, Leah Haxton; father-in-law, Bob Haxton; wife, Judy; son, Eric; sister-in-law, Leah Rae Jamiolkowski; and sister-in-law, Nancy Jamiolkowski.

John is survived by his brother, Lee (Judy) Jacobson; his brother-in-law, Dan Jamiolkowski; daughter, Jo Dee (Mark) Black of Great Falls. Mont.; daughter, Wendy (Skip) Dobbs of Edwardsville, Kan.; his grandchildren: John Robert (Tracy) Holland, Jennifer (Mikey) Burrall, Kaleigh (Amber) Bixler, Megan (Matt) Harthun, Abbie (Doug) Peters, Jacob (Elaine) Dobbs, Mason Dobbs and his girlfriend, Catalina Conde Ibarra; his great-grandchildren: Kayson and Lillian Harthun, Gracie and Grady Bixler, Weston and Jackson Peters, Mae Burrall, Brady Holland, Aslan and Aleena Scott; nieces: Lori (Randy) Davis, Jennifer (Craig) Turcott, Sarah (Todd) Justice, Molly Lampignano, Amy (Dave) Lund; nephew, Jay (Carina) Jacobsen; and many wonderful great nieces and nephews, including Alex (Ally) Davis and Ella Davis.

A memorial service will take place June 30, 2025 in Butte, Mont.

Memorials are suggested to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butte-Silver Bow, P.O. Box 62, Butte, Mont. 59701 or Butte Food Bank, 1019 East 2nd Street, Butte, Mont. 59701. Express condolences at www.wayrynen-richards.com.