I want to start by congratulating the Lincoln County Commissioners and all those who worked tirelessly over the years to plan and ultimately replace the Sutherland Bridge. Keeping our rural communities connected is critically important.

This project marks a great milestone and an example of how working together to plan, fund, and complete a major bridge project can happen.

The rest of my article this week is more personal.

Last week, my sister Deanna was admitted to hospice care and passed away two days later. Although both my parents and two oldest siblings are gone, the loss of Deanna has left me with a special sense of loss.

Many of you know that I grew up on a rented farm in Clay County with my seven siblings in a three-bedroom house with limited amenities. My parents lost their oldest child, Virginia, in infancy, and a few years later, Donna was born. Deanna was born a couple of years after that, followed by Charles the next year, Lyle the year after that, and I was born two years later. My brother Myron is less than one year younger than me, and my sister Brenda is a year younger than Myron. My brother Allen is 10 years younger than me.

I truly believe that it was that upbringing that allowed me to develop a strong work ethic. Never ending field work, raising hogs, a few cows, and chickens, you learned that there was always work to do. You had to like eggs in those days, or you would have been very hungry.

I went to Sutton High School, and while in grade school, I rode the school bus to school every day. I remember on one occasion that I was riding the bus home when a couple of upperclassmen decided to bully me. Fortunately, my sister Deanna was having none of that and immediately got out of her seat and confronted my attackers. They were no match for Deanna. From then on, Deanna and I had a special bond. There was never an award or honor that I received over the years that she failed to recognize and make certain that I knew that she was proud of me.

Little did she know that she had it backward; I was immensely proud of her for her unwavering work ethic, her constant willingness to give to others, and for being there for all her siblings.

Dave Ramsey often speaks of people with a “servant’s heart.” Nothing could better describe Deanna. Deanna went to beauty school to become a beautician. She was great at it and more than willing to give free haircuts. I do, however, remember that day when she convinced me to get a perm. Yes, curl my hair. I have been able to track down and destroy most of the photos over the years, but my gut tells me that the marketing department at the bank still has a photo or two. I am certain that they will find the “special” moment in the future to release that photo.

In addition to working as a beautician, she also worked at the Grand Island Walmart as a manager for many years. Deanna was someone who recognized early on that building a retirement account depends more on how much you save than how much you make. In her case, she worked long hours and extra shifts so that she could both provide for her family and build very comfortable savings.

I will never forget how sad she was when we lost our first son, John. I will also never forget how much she clung to our daughter Mary when we adopted her and brought her home for the first time. If she ever turned up missing, we knew exactly where to look first. Deanna had so much love to give, and her life was filled with moments of giving. She was truly special.

Deanna spent most of her later years dealing with a skeletal disease called “scoliosis.” As debilitating and painful as it can be, she never complained. She and her husband Raymond retired several years ago and relocated to Branson, Mo. She did not travel far from home after retirement but did travel to Hays, Kan. in 2022 to attend a limited family reunion to honor our sister Donna, who passed away during the COVID pandemic. As physically painful as it may have been for Deanna to travel there, she was not going to miss that weekend event.

Julie and I have talked many times over the last two years about a trip to Branson to see Deanna, but the schedule never seemed to work. I cannot tell you how much I now regret not finding the time to get there. Deanna was a very special person I was always proud to call my sister. Rest in peace, Deanna; you left your mark here on earth.

One of my motivations for serving in the Legislature is looking for ways I can improve the lives of my constituents in that same giving spirit that Deanna embodied. Please continue to reach out regarding issues that are important to you. It is a privilege to serve as your state senator, and I will continue to give my full effort to make a positive difference for the district and the state. You can reach me at mjacobson@leg.ne.gov or 402-471-2729.

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