GALVA - Delabele “Del” (Wheeler) Jacobson, 97, of Kewanee, died at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at Betty's Garden in Kewanee.

She was born on June 16, 1927 in Burwell, Nebraska, the daughter of Lloyd and Florence (Gray) Wheeler. When she was seven, during the Great Depression, the family moved to Illinois. She married the love of her life, Dwain E. “Jake” Jacobson, on February 14, 1949 in Toulon. They were inseparable from that day on. Dwain preceded her in death on October 14, 2021. Survivors include her three children; Diane (Steve) Winslow of Toulon, Dan (Linda) Jacobson of Cambridge, Denise (Mike) Kellogg of Kiowa, OK, 9 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren and a brother-in-law, Glenn Beall of Lake Forest, IL.

Del graduated from Toulon High School and in her early years she worked at the State Bank of Toulon until she was married. After marrying Dwain, she was a homemaker and farmed with him in the Toulon area, which included milking cows until 1986. She was very creative at decorating wedding, graduation, birthday cakes, and also, “smiley face” cookies for Jacobson’s Bakery, which her and Dwain operated together until January 1, 2018. She loved her family and cherished the time spent with grandchildren, and traveled to many sporting events, no matter if it was in Illinois or another state to cheer them on. Dwain and her spent most of their days together in all their endeavors and traveling. Del was of the Methodist faith.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Eldon Wheeler and three sisters; Mildred Worrell, Lois Headley, and Patsy Beall.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 26 at Galva Cemetery with Chaplain Jordan Knight officiating. Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter, 8430 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Ste. 800, Chicago, IL 60631. Rux Funeral Home in Galva is in charge of arrangements.