James "Jj" Jacobson

James M. “J.J.” Jacobson, 46, of West Salem, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 8, 2015. He was born on October 25, 1968 in La Crosse to the late Nancy Jacobson. J.J. attended Elementary School in La Crosse, WI and graduated from Holmen High School in 1986. He attended North Dakota State University on a football scholarship, where he was named All-American his freshman year. He then attended the University of Jamestown in North Dakota. After returning to La Crosse he began working with juveniles in area group homes with the Family and Children’s Center. He then went to work for the La Crosse County Juvenile Detention Center. In February of 1994 he began his career working for the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Department as a jailer. JJ was promoted to Jail Sargent in 1999. In 2001, he attended Chippewa Valley Technical College and received his certification and began his career as a patrol deputy with the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Department. In 2008 he was promoted to Sargent of Patrol where he brought the highest level of compassion to both his co-workers and community. Each encounter may not have been a positive one, however, the people he helped walked away with total respect for the man he was. He continued to receive letters, Christmas cards and thanks from those he helped until the day he passed. This was especially true with the children he taught in the GREAT program from 2002-2009 in West Salem and Melrose-Mindoro. He provided his personal phone number to every child he encountered and was able to make connections with and guide some kids who maybe would have taken the wrong path had JJ not guided them in the right direction. J.J. loved all sports and coached numerous girls’ basketball teams in the area including the Celtics, Viking Club of Menomonie, Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, and Neshonoc Lakers. He made a huge impact on every girl he coached, but most recently he said to one girl who was struggling, “I know you’re struggling but you just have to take a deep breath and get ready for the next play. I have all the faith and confidence in you, probably more than you have in yourself. You are capable of so much. I believe in ya kid, don’t let me down.” It was words like these that made JJ the go to guy he was. On September 26, 1992, JJ married the love of his life and soulmate, Beth Ann. They had 4 amazing daughters and he was very proud of all five of his girls and the close family they were. J.J. was a devoted family man. He was the dad that every kid wanted their dad to be like and the friend everyone seemed to lean on for support. His girls meant everything to him. He never missed any of their games or activities. J.J. received the Crime Prevention Program/Project of the Year in 2005. He was a Board Member at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater La Crosse for several years, and was awarded the Boys and Girls Club Backcourt Award in 2004. He was inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame in 2006. JJ was also a member of the Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff’s Association. He is survived by his five beautiful blondes; wife Beth, and four daughters, Cierra, Larissa, Anna and Mya, a sister Lynn (Lucas) Hopfensperger and their children Brody and Hadley, a brother Jeff (Amanda) Gallagher and their son Michael, two brothers-in-law, Eric (Fiancé’ Marilyn Hatch) Everson and his children Emily and Alec, and Craig (Carie) Everson and their children, Chase, Brehana, Haliah and Mhadalyn, his father and mother-in-law, Howard and Beverly Everson, his step-father Jim Gallagher, an uncle, David Jacobson (Becky) and his children Nicholas and Erin, close friends, Joe Weber, Sean Gavaghan, Doug Trautsch, Fritz Leinfelder, and Gregg Weber, and his many friends at the Sheriff’s Department. He was preceded in death by his mother, Nancy Gallagher, grandmother Eda Jacobson, grandfather Floyd Jacobson, and grandfather Emmett Clements(who JJ always reminded was older than dirt). Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at 11:00 AM at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater La Crosse, 1331 Clinton Street. Pastor Jonathan Schmidt and Pastor Jean Schmidt will officiate. Burial will be in the Neshonoc Cemetery, West Salem. Friends may show their respect at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater La Crosse on Monday from 4:00 – 7:00 and again on Tuesday from 10:00 AM until the time of services. In memory of JJ, casual attire is requested at the Monday memorial, as that is how JJ would have liked it. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be used for educational funds for J.J.’s daughters.