William Simon Jacobson

William Simon Jacobson

Cedar Rapids

William Simon Jacobson, 88, of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, at Belle Plaine Specialty Care. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 26, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church by the Rev. Aaron Junge. Burial: St. Ann Cemetery, Long Grove. Friends may visit with the family after 9 a.m. Monday at the church. Teahen Funeral Home is serving the family.

Bill is survived by his wife of 59 years, Rosemary; five children, Kathryn of Robins, Andrew of Bowie, M.D., Ruth (Dale) Elenteny of Lemont, Ill., Damien of Robins and Rachel (Matt) Lucas of Chicago, Ill.; six grandchildren, Dale, Claire, William and Eileen Elenteny, and Stella and Simon Lucas.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Joan.

Bill was born Jan. 10, 1934, in Sloan, son of Emmett and Hazel Wickersham Jacobson. He graduated from Onawa High School in 1952 and served in the U.S. Navy from 1954 to 1958. Bill graduated from the University of Iowa in 1960 with a degree in history. He also received an M.A. in journalism in 1962 and an M.A. in social studies in 1971. Bill began teaching history in the Cedar Rapids School District in 1962; he retired from Kennedy High School in 1995. He married Rosemary O’Connor on Aug. 17, 1963, at St. Ann Catholic Church in Long Grove. Bill was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.

Bill traveled extensively, and was a voracious reader of history, politics and theology. He was passionate about teaching, and his years in the classroom brought him great joy. He also spent a good deal of time complaining about the weather…especially in the winter. He loved his family and will be deeply missed.

Instead of flowers, memorials may be directed to Birthright of Cedar Rapids, 375 Collins Rd.

NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.

Online condolences can be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.