Byron & Donna (Swords) Jacobson

Donna Jean was born December 12, 1930 at Wamego - daughter of Sylvester M. and Hazel Jean (McCormick) Swords and sister to M. J. “Jerry” & B. James Swords. Her family roots were in Pottawatomie, Wabaunsee and Riley counties although she was raised and graduated from the Wamego schools and obtained a B.S. degree in Home Economics from Kansas State University (1953).  Donna passed from this earth on October 6, 1997

Byron Lee was born September 9, 1927 at Formoso, Kansas - oldest son of Leslie E. and Iva G. (Quy) Jacobson and brother to Janice Oplinger, Wendell Jacobson, Everett Jacobson and Marvel Korff. Jewell county, educated in a one-room schoolhouse however graduated from Manhattan High School. After serving in the U.S. Navy (1945-1946) he obtained a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Kansas State University (1952). Byron passed from this earth on January 25, 2018

Byron and Donna first met attending a Sigma Chi Fraternity event, of which Byron was a KSU charter member, and later united in marriage on November 14, 1953 at Wamego. They resided in several areas in Kansas and Florida before returning to Wamego in 1963. Byron worked in the insurance industry for “51 ½ years” and 41 years in Wamego as an owner of McKowen-Jacobson Independent Insurance Agency until his retirement in 2004. Donna often worked at the Agency with Byron and in 1993 became a Resource Development Coordinator with Valley Vista Good Samaritan Center in Wamego. Donna and Byron raised five children (S. Bryce, Dane M., Mary T., Barbara J. and Scott V.) and were active in the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, school and church (St. Bernard Catholic Parish) activities. Both Byron and Donna were very involved in the Wamego community: Byron – Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce (Citizen of the Year 2006), USD 320 School Board, City Commissioner (Mayor 1975-1976), and numerous civic and volunteer positions. Donna – St. Bernard Altar Society, Wamego Historical Society, Wamego Study Club, General Federated Women’s Club (GFWC), Kaw Valley Girl Scout Council, appointed by Governor Mike Hayden to the Kansas University Medical Admissions Board, AFS host and local coordinator, helped organize the Wamego Community Hospice, supporter of the Columbian Theatre and the Columbian Children’s Theatre. 

The Byron L. Jacobson memorial contributions, to establish the Jacobson Family Charitable Fund, were designated to be housed with the Wamego Community Foundation – “We Are Wamego” campaign. This fund depicts much of what Donna and Byron represented and contributed to within the Wamego community. They invested their lives and the lives of their entire family, to the needs and initiatives of Wamego while inspiring those around them both nationally and internationally. 

“Alone we can do so little, TOGETHER we can do so much.” –Helen Keller

We thank you for your contribution to help preserve and enhance Wamego for current and future generations. Wamego was a great place to grow up and it continues to hold a place in our hearts…..and hopefully yours.

Bryce Jacobson (Overland Park, KS), Dane Jacobson (Wamego, KS), Mary Jacobson (Greenwich, CT), Barbara Lippman (Wamego, KS) and Scott Jacobson (Denver, CO)

Memorials received by the Jacobson Family were Donated and Directed by the Family to the Wamego Community Foundation “We Are Wamego” Fund.