The Parkville Rotary Club is honored to award scholarships to three outstanding Platte County high school seniors. These students have demonstrated academic achievement, leadership, community involvement, and a commitment to making a difference.
We invite you to join us as we recognize their accomplishments, present scholarship awards, and wish them success in the exciting journeys ahead.
John Jacobsen Obituary 1934 - 2026
Beloved father and husband John Eldon Jacobsen, 91, passed away peacefully on May 31, 2026, at home in Kansas City, Missouri, with family by his side. He will be dearly missed.
John was born on June 27, 1934, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Jacob and Inez (Matrow) Jacobsen. He graduated from Sioux Falls’ Washington High School in 1952, and then earned his bachelor’s degree from Augustana University. He later furthered his education at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.
While serving two years in the U.S. Army, John met his future wife, Carolynn Austin, and they were happily married for 35 years until she passed in 1995. John and Carolynn lived in South Dakota while John worked for the state’s Department of Labor. The couple and their young daughter, Rochell, moved to Kansas City in 1967 when John was offered a position with the U.S. Department of Labor, where he was employed for 31 years until his retirement in 1998. It was in Kansas City where John and Carolynn welcomed their second daughter, Rebecca.
John thrived in retirement. In 1999, friends introduced John to Karole (Konovalsky) Fischer, who ushered in a new era in John’s life that was filled with love, travel, church and friends. They married in 2003 and remained happily together for the rest of his life. They shared a passion for travel, visiting all 50 states and 44 countries. John and Karole treasured their family and many friends, who returned their love in spades. In 1995, John co-founded the Ol’ Codgers breakfast group, a weekly men’s gathering at Riverside’s Corner Café – a tradition that continues to this day.
He has been a member of Platte Woods United Methodist Church since 1969. John especially enjoyed being a part of the church’s Seekers Sunday School class, which he joined in the mid-70s. John was a member of the Parkville Rotary Club and was a proud Paul Harris Fellow.
John is survived by his wife, Karole Jacobsen of Kansas City, Missouri; daughter Rochell Jacobsen of Quincy, Illinois; daughter Rebecca (Jacobsen) Graham and son-in-law Aaron Graham of Mission Hills, Kansas; and Karole’s daughter Lea Dawn Welsh of Topeka, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Carolynn; his brother, Edward; and two sisters, Dorothy and Marjory.
John’s full and joyous life will be celebrated on Thursday, June 11 at Platte Woods United Methodist Church in Platte Woods, Missouri. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. with a memorial service at 2 p.m. A private burial of his ashes will take place at Rose Hill Cemetery in Parker, South Dakota.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Parkville Rotary Club. Todd DeMint will be our funeral director and personal concierge serving the family.
PACE is Looking for Volunteers (Next Week)
PACE is looking for approximately eight volunteers to assist with the upcoming Golf Tournament on Monday, June 8, 2026.
Volunteer Time: 7:45 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Volunteer opportunities include:
3–4 volunteers to assist with player check-in
1–2 volunteers to sell 50/50 raffle tickets
2 volunteers to welcome players and help direct them to their assigned golf carts
Volunteers will enjoy coffee from Scooters and breakfast sandwiches from Fetterman's.
Location: The Bluffs Golf Course (formerly The Deuce)
Please arrive at the clubhouse by 7:45 a.m. Check-in will take place near the gazebo on the north side of the clubhouse.
If you are available to help, please respond directly to Ed Linnebur.
Thank you in advance for supporting PACE and helping make this event a success!
Ed Linnebur
Executive Director
Parkville Area Chamber & EDC (PACE)
8880 Clark Ave, Parkville, MO 64152
Direct: 816-268-5006
Cell: 913-305-8350 Ed@ParkvillePACE.com
Join Us in Welcoming Our Friends from Argentina - June 11th
NOTE: There will not be a Parkville Rotary Meeting on June 12th so that Rotarians can attend this event.
Join us for a memorable evening of fellowship, food, music, and fun as we welcome our Rotary friends from Argentina to Kansas City!
Hosted by the Rotary Clubs of NKC, Gladstone, Liberty & KCI
Date: June 11 Time: 6:00 – 9:00 PM Location: Life Unlimited Rooftop Patio, 320 Armour Rd., North Kansas City, MO 64116
Enjoy beautiful downtown Kansas City views while connecting with Rotarians from around the world in the spirit of international friendship and cultural exchange.
Evening Highlights: Great Food, Fellowship & Networking, Futbol Excitement, Special Musical Guests in partnership with the Northland Symphony Orchestra Association featuring
Karianne Waterland — Executive Director & Violinist
Jenifer Hamilton — Violinist
The Northland Symphony Orchestra enriches our community through free, high-quality orchestral performances and educational opportunities for all.
All Rotarians are welcome!
Cost -FREE for Argentinian Delegates, $20 for all other attendees
Come celebrate international friendship, culture, and the spirit of Rotary with us. We hope to see you there!
In the Spirit of Rotary, Kandi Kos District Executive Administrator rotary6040office@gmail.com 816-359-0964
It's That Time of Year Again! EREY!!!
If you would like Joe Carroll to add the $100 to your invoice please let him know ASAP. The end of the Rotary calendar year is coming to an end. Contact Joe at JCarroll@connections.bank.
EREY stands for "Every Rotarian, Every Year." It is a fundraising initiative by Rotary International (RI) designed to encourage every member to contribute to the Rotary Foundation annually.
The program is built on the philosophy that consistent, collective giving—even in small amounts—is what sustains Rotary’s global humanitarian projects.
Key Components of EREY
The Goal: To encourage every individual Rotarian to make a personal contribution to the Annual Fund every year.
Contribution Level: While there is no strictly mandated amount, many clubs suggest a minimum of $100 USD per year. However, any amount contributed to the Annual Fund qualifies a member as "EREY."
Impact: These funds support a wide range of activities, including:
District Grants (local community projects).
Global Grants (large-scale international scholarships and humanitarian projects).
Peace Fellowships.
Recognition and Awards
Rotary uses the EREY initiative to measure club engagement. There are specific banners and recognitions for clubs that achieve:
100% EREY Participation: Every active member contributes at least $25 to the Annual Fund.
Every Rotarian, Every Year Club: Every active member contributes at least $100, and the club achieves an average of at least $100 per member.
Why it Matters
The Annual Fund operates on a three-year cycle. Money donated today is invested by the Foundation for three years; the interest earned covers the Foundation's administrative costs. After three years, the original principal is split, with 50% going back to the donor's local District (District Designated Fund) and 50% going to the World Fund. This ensures that the organization remains self-sustaining while maximizing the impact of every dollar.
SAVE THE DATE! NEW DATE!
CHANGING OF THE GUARD CEREMONY
In June, our normal Rotary Third Thursday evening social will be held on the 4th Thursday -- June 25th, 5:30 PM at Weatherby Lake, C Point Pavilion. This will include the annual "Changing of the Guard" ceremony, as our fiscal year ends June 30th. Typically the event winds down about sunset, and there may be other interesting lake orientated activities during this time period. More details as they become available.
We needed to move the date so we could get this high demand space reserved and confirmed for the Club. Mark Comfort made the arrangements for us this year (thank you). Please mark your calendar and save the date.
Start time is 5:30 PM, and we will have a picnic style barbeque and beverages available for all. The invite includes all spouses and guests, of course … and I do anticipate the cost per person will be in the range of $30-35 per person (a superb value for what you will be receiving). More info will be provided as we get closer to the date.
It has been a number of years since we have been to this location, and I know you all will have a great time.
Thanks all,
Dave Rittman
Parkville Rotary
Member News!
Have news you want to share with Parkville Rotary members? Email Dalyn at dnovak@wskfarch.com to have your news added to this section of the newsletter.
The Membership Committee has been hard at work looking for great new members. All members and prospective members can access the new member forms by clicking on the blue box below. This link will take you directly to the membership forms.
Parkville Rotary has the following membership types:
Standard Rotarian Membership
Corporate Membership
Spouse Membership
Please submit the forms filled out to Sandy Knoernschild, SandyKnoe@outlook.com, so the new member information can be reviewed by the board for approval! We are always looking for new members to join our growing club!
When you have a speaker scheduled please make sure to provide the following information to Michelle Sparks at michellesparkshomes@gmail.com, who is managing our events calendar.
Speaker Name
Speaker Bio
Speaker Topic
Any other information you think members would like to know about your speaker, photos are welcomed too!
This information is included in this weekly newsletter and can really get people excited to come listen to our weekly speakers!
