Obituaries : James “Jim” John Jacobi

James "Jim" John Jacobi, 70, of Belle Plaine, IA, passed away unexpectedly on June 19, 2025, following a motor vehicle accident.  Though his time here ended too soon, Jim packed more love, laughs, stories, and good-hearted mischief into 70 years than most could in 100.  He lived simply, loved deeply, and had a quiet grin that said more than words ever could. 

Jim was born June 6, 1955, at Corn Belt Hospital in Belle Plaine to Louis J. and Lorena (Villers) Jacobi.  A proud graduate of Belle Plaine High School, class of 1973, he started farming beside his dad before settling into a long and meaningful career at Funks Seed as a seed technician.  He spent 37 years there, enough time to form plenty of lifelong friendships.  He retired at age 57, giving him more time to do the things he loved.  On November 21, 1979, Jim married Cynthia Janss at the First Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine.  Together, they built a home, a family, and a life full of love and laughter.  

Jim had a passion for sports. He enjoyed playing slow and fastpitch softball, bowling league, rolle bolle, and dominating (at least in his opinion) in card games like poker and pepper.  He especially loved Iowa/USA wrestling and any game his kids or grandkids were in.  No matter the sport, if his kids or grandkids were playing, he was there proudly supporting them.  Rain, snow, wind, or triple-digit heat, you could count on him sitting on the sidelines.  He was their biggest fan (and probably the loudest).  When he wasn't cheering from the sidelines, you could find him outdoors.  He loved hunting, fishing, and cruising around on his golf cart, often with a destination in mind, but just as happy if there wasn't one.  He valued a good conversation, a quiet evening, and the people who made life meaningful.

Jim is survived by his wife of 45 years, Cynthia Jacobi of Belle Plaine; his children, Ashley (Bill) Walton of Belle Plaine and Brady (Marissa Kienast) Jacobi of Chelsea; and his beloved grandchildren: Colton, Camella, Caden, Cody, Kinsley, Kael, and Raelyn. He is also survived by his siblings: Luanna (Ted) Walton of Belle Plaine, Jerry Jacobi of Springville, and Jeff (Roberta) Jacobi of Belle Plaine; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and more friends than can be counted.  

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Blake Jacobi; and daughter-in-law, Paige Jacobi.  While we mourn his absence, we take comfort in knowing he's reunited with those he missed so dearly.  He will be missed every single day, but his impact, his stories, and his love live on in all of us. 

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 27, 2025, at Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Service in Belle Plaine, IA with visitation from 9 - 11 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Belle Plaine. Memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.neuhausfuneralservice.com.