Sharon L. Jacobsen

Sharon Lee Butler was born on August 30, 1936 in Denver, Colorado. Her parents, LC "Pete" Butler and Thelma (Hait) Butler were living in Denver that summer so her father could play baseball with the Denver Bears. The family moved to Roswell, NM and later Greeley, CO so her dad could teach and coach first at the NM School of Mines and then at Colorado State College (now University of Northern Colo.) Her father was the Dean of the Physical Education department and a well known college baseball coach. Her mother taught elementary school for many years.

During WWII the family moved to California so her father could serve in the US Navy. During their time there, Sharon became a big sister when her brother Glen "Butch" was born. The family returned to Greeley after the war ended and called it home. Sharon was a quiet child who worked hard to do well in school although she struggled at times. Later, after completing her education, she became quite adept at teaching the children with learning disabilities. She felt great empathy with them due to her own struggles as a child.

Sharon spent six years of her childhood living in the boys' dormitory at Colorado State College as her parents served as live-in dorm parents. The family shared three small dorm rooms that had adjoining doors. One of the perks of the position was that they got their meals in the cafeteria. Family lore says that Sharon, while slight in stature, could out eat the college boys. The family finally moved into their own home while Sharon was in high school. During school Sharon taught herself to sew, knit and do woodworking and continued these hobbies for the rest of her life. She was a bit of a tomboy, but did not enjoy sports like everyone else at home.

Sharon attended Colorado State College in Greeley and received her degree in Elementary Education in just 3 years. She was only 20 when she graduated, making her not legally old enough to sign her first teaching contract. She moved to Pomona, CA and taught there for one year. She married Alan Jacobsen in Greeley in 1958. They moved to Cambridge, NE so he could teach and coach. Sharon worked as a substitute teacher until a full-time teaching position opened up. They returned to CO 2 years later and resided in Arvada, CO and both began teaching for Jefferson County Schools. Sharon taught until son Jim was born. A daughter, Susie followed soon after. Sharon enjoyed her life as a full-time homemaker raising her 2 kids. She returned to teaching when her daughter entered first grade. The family moved to Lakewood, CO.

Sharon taught in the Jeffco schools for more than 20 years. She received her Masters degree from the University of Northern Colorado in 1980. During this time her marriage ended and her kids both went off to college. She was then able to fulfill a lifetime wish to become a foster parent. She continued to teach while raising several groups of siblings for several years each. In 1991 she retired from teaching and became a foster receiving home parent often having as many as 8 kids living with her. She loved the ability to make the difference in the life of a child. She only gave up the foster parenting when her health began to decline. She fostered more than 70 children in all.

Her retirement years were spent enjoying her hobbies, square dancing, spending as much time as possible with her grand kids and going to the cabin in the mountains. She was always willing to help out with the grand kids and loved attending every activity they participated in.

She also helped out at church (First United Church of Arvada) or wherever she could make a difference.

Her declining health (due mostly to MS and a stroke) finally forced her to move to a care facility where she spend her last years. She is survived by her son Jim, daughter Susie, son-in-law Rudy, grand kids Azucena Jacobsen, Ernie Jacobsen, Eric Garza and Christina Garza and great grand kids Giovanni Jacobsen and Khloe Jacobsen. She was preceeded in death by her parents and her brother. She was a wonderful person who will be greatly missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to National Multiple Sclerosis Society,

P.O. Box 4527, New York, NY 10163 or donate by phone 1-800-344-4867