Obituary for Edith Alicia Bell
Edith Alicia Bell, 67, died August 13, 2023. Funeral services will begin at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, August 19, 2023 at the Bah Kha Je Chena Building in Perkins. Burial will follow in the Iowa Tribal Cemetery.
Edith Alicia Bell was born Edith A. Jacobsen on November 24, 1955 in Pawnee Oklahoma to Siegfried W. Jacobsen and Remonia I. Murray Jacobsen. A vivacious young lady, Edith was extremely active in her childhood excelling in cheerleading, bowling, and gymnastics. Always the scholar, she garnered many academic awards and honors, particularly in the core areas of Science and Mathematics. Edith was a member of the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma and descendant of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Oklahoma. She took great pride in her Native culture, history, and traditions always ensuring that she practiced her Native ways in her own life and the lives of her children and grandchildren.
As a young girl, Edith's mother Remonia, who was a very talented Native artist and designer, taught her how to sew and bead. These two skills stuck with her throughout her lifetime. Her own bead work, designs and Native detail can be found on the regalia of many dancers around the country. She learned to cook as a little girl and it is not an exaggeration to say that her cooking is as renowned as her talent to sew and bead.
In 1978, Edith met Dexter Bell, a fiery man from Dover OK who would later become her husband of 46 years. Together, they raised four beautiful children: Jason, Josh, Brandice, and Kandace. Edith, Dexter and family lived as family in Dover, Tryon, Colorado Springs, and Stillwater. In 1989 the family moved to San Antonio, TX where Edith and Dexter remained until her untimely death.
Edith was talented at so many things and had a very unique way with people which made her stand out in the restaurant and hospitality business. It was in 1994 when she graduated from the University of Texas San Antonio with her Bachelors of Science in Education however, that she found her true calling: An Educator. Edith spent the largest part of 3 decades as an Elementary School Teacher and Coach. Always phenomenal with children, this calling made perfect sense and she was absolutely amazing at it. Not only did she teach Elementary Physical Education, she coached volleyball, basketball, softball, track, and tutored students in mathematics.
Among the many things she loved such as animals (her dogs Humphry and Princess were her babies), reading (Harry Potter was her favorite), reality television (she couldn't go anywhere if Big Brother was on), CASINOS (she was the Queen of the Casino), cooking and baking, OSU Cowboys and outdoors! Perhaps what she loved the most in this world were her 12 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. There was nothing she wouldn't do for her grandbabies!
Edith is preceded in death by her parents S.W. "Jack" Jacobsen and Remonia Murray Jacobsen; oldest son Jason Jacobsen, and grandson Orlen Robertson.
She is survived by her husband Dexter Bell of San Antonio, son Joshua Jacobsen of San Antonio; daughter Brandice Thompson and husband Keith of San Antonio; Daughter Kandace Robertson and husband Tod of Wewoka OK; Grandchildren Tyjah Shaver; Elyjah, Keivaun and Keishaun Thompson; Kameron Bell, Skylar Jacobsen, Dakota Davidyan; Sterling and Kenzie Jacobsen, Cheryee and Hollis Robertson; great granddaughter McKenzie Proffitt and a host of other relatives and friends.
Edith Alicia Bell was born Edith A. Jacobsen on November 24, 1955 in Pawnee Oklahoma to Siegfried W. Jacobsen and Remonia I. Murray Jacobsen. A vivacious young lady, Edith was extremely active in her childhood excelling in cheerleading, bowling, and gymnastics. Always the scholar, she garnered many academic awards and honors, particularly in the core areas of Science and Mathematics. Edith was a member of the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma and descendant of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Oklahoma. She took great pride in her Native culture, history, and traditions always ensuring that she practiced her Native ways in her own life and the lives of her children and grandchildren.
As a young girl, Edith's mother Remonia, who was a very talented Native artist and designer, taught her how to sew and bead. These two skills stuck with her throughout her lifetime. Her own bead work, designs and Native detail can be found on the regalia of many dancers around the country. She learned to cook as a little girl and it is not an exaggeration to say that her cooking is as renowned as her talent to sew and bead.
In 1978, Edith met Dexter Bell, a fiery man from Dover OK who would later become her husband of 46 years. Together, they raised four beautiful children: Jason, Josh, Brandice, and Kandace. Edith, Dexter and family lived as family in Dover, Tryon, Colorado Springs, and Stillwater. In 1989 the family moved to San Antonio, TX where Edith and Dexter remained until her untimely death.
Edith was talented at so many things and had a very unique way with people which made her stand out in the restaurant and hospitality business. It was in 1994 when she graduated from the University of Texas San Antonio with her Bachelors of Science in Education however, that she found her true calling: An Educator. Edith spent the largest part of 3 decades as an Elementary School Teacher and Coach. Always phenomenal with children, this calling made perfect sense and she was absolutely amazing at it. Not only did she teach Elementary Physical Education, she coached volleyball, basketball, softball, track, and tutored students in mathematics.
Among the many things she loved such as animals (her dogs Humphry and Princess were her babies), reading (Harry Potter was her favorite), reality television (she couldn't go anywhere if Big Brother was on), CASINOS (she was the Queen of the Casino), cooking and baking, OSU Cowboys and outdoors! Perhaps what she loved the most in this world were her 12 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. There was nothing she wouldn't do for her grandbabies!
Edith is preceded in death by her parents S.W. "Jack" Jacobsen and Remonia Murray Jacobsen; oldest son Jason Jacobsen, and grandson Orlen Robertson.
She is survived by her husband Dexter Bell of San Antonio, son Joshua Jacobsen of San Antonio; daughter Brandice Thompson and husband Keith of San Antonio; Daughter Kandace Robertson and husband Tod of Wewoka OK; Grandchildren Tyjah Shaver; Elyjah, Keivaun and Keishaun Thompson; Kameron Bell, Skylar Jacobsen, Dakota Davidyan; Sterling and Kenzie Jacobsen, Cheryee and Hollis Robertson; great granddaughter McKenzie Proffitt and a host of other relatives and friends.