Marilyn A. Jacobsen, 97, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Friday, June 20, 2025, at Brookestone Acres of Columbus.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 25 at 11:00 AM, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbus with Pastor Ollie Fullmer officiating.  Private family interment will be in Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska.  Visitation will be on Tuesday from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue Wednesday from 10:00 AM until service time at the church.  There will be a family prayer service on Wednesday at 10:45 AM at the church.  Memorials are suggested to Paws & Claws of Columbus or St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Marilyn Anne was born May 25, 1928, in Oakland, Nebraska to Ivar and Anna (Helstrom) Hultman, both of whom emigrated from Sweden and met and married in Oakland where their six children were born.  The family moved to Omaha in 1940.

Marilyn graduated from Omaha Technical High School and worked as a telephone operator for Northwestern Bell.  She married Dale Nelson in 1947 and had three children: Judy Kathleen, Pamela Jane, and Randall Martin.  After moving to Holdrege, Nebraska, Marilyn worked as a model for clothing stores and as a secretary at the local creamery.  Subsequent moves were to Kearney, Ames, Iowa, and North Platte.   Marilyn was employed as secretary to the publisher of the North Platte Telegraph and was promoted to executive assistant of the newspaper's corporate office.

While working at the Telegraph, Marilyn met Wayne Jacobsen and the two were united in marriage in 1972.  They moved to Columbus in 1980 when he was employed by Nebraska Public Power District.  Marilyn worked as a secretary and computer operator at Behlen Manufacturing's engineering department until her retirement in 1989.

Marilyn loved to travel.  She was a Chicago Cubs fan and enjoyed watching the team's spring practice in Phoenix.  Other memorable trips were cruises to Jamaica, Alaska, and down the Ohio River aboard the Delta Queen and on Amtrak trains.

Marilyn was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she was involved in several projects including the church radio station and knitting for the prayer shawl ministry.

She was a Past Matron of Harmony Chapter 13, Order of Eastern Star, and was a 60-year member, serving as chapter secretary for 23 years.  Marilyn loved flowers, cross stitch, knitting, her cats, dancing, water skiing, and was an avid bowler.

Marilyn is survived by:
Husband of 53  years – Wayne Jacobsen of Columbus, NE
Daughter – Pamela (Ron) McKain of North Platte, NE
Son – Randy Nelson of Phoenix, AZ
Son-in-law – John Powell of Des Moines, IA
Step-children – Valorie (Brian) Davis and Stephen Jacobsen both of California
Nine Grandchildren
One Step-Granddaughter
13 Great Grandchildren
Five Great-Great-Grandchildren (with one on the way)
Three nephews

Marilyn was preceded in death by:
Parents – Ivar and Anna Hultman
Daughter – Judy Powel
Four Sisters – Junelayne Hultman, Victoria Forman, Lorraine Spencer, and Eleanor Cornelius
One Brother – Arnold Hultman