Virginia Jacobson

Things I Learned from my Grandmother:
Virginia Lyrl Jacobson
I learned that my Grandma Jacobson was born Virginia Lyrl Johnson on January 31, 1918, near Abbotsford, WI to Albin and Norma Johnson and was the 2nd of 6 children. I learned that her sense of humor was evident from a very young age when she decided Alabama Lyrl had a better ring to it than her given name. I learned she cherished her time with family; as various family farms failed throughout the Great Depression, she and her siblings were often sent out to their aunts and uncles until enough money was scraped together so they could all be together again. Even though moving from town to town was constant, I learned she was the valedictorian of Abbotsford High School’s class circa 1934. I learned that education was important to her and that one of her beloved aunts, also a teacher, helped her go to college in Stevens Point and earn a bachelor’s degree so that she, too, could teach.

I learned that Grandma was married on June 11, 1946 to our grandpa, Kenneth Jacobson, in Abbotsford and then moved to the Jacobson homestead in the Town of Dovre in Wisconsin where they started their family. I learned that even though she was a loyal and loving spouse to a dairy farmer, she was smart enough to never learn how to milk a cow. As a mother, she learned from her son and taught others, that long hair, tattoos and Harleys are startling, but have little to do with kindness, loyalty and a good heart. She taught her children that it’s never too late at night to call and say you are home safely. She taught her daughters to stand up straight, to sew, to bake perfect pies, to “shop till you drop,” to always ask “Is this your best price?” when eyeing antiques, and that good cleaning ladies are priceless. I learned that she and Grandpa cherished their friends and loved a good visit after church, a good round of 500 with Ted and Lillie, a good trip with Lorene and Harlan. I learned that she loved to plan, cook and entertain friends and family, with beautiful elegant parties and dinners. There was Bridge Club, Pot Luck Group, The Fish Wives. This was long before Martha Stewart declared it a good thing.

Some things I learned about Grandma Jacobson from others. I learned she had a servant’s heart like Jesus. She continued to superintend the Sunday School at Dovre Lutheran long after her children were confirmed. She taught herself rosemaling and painted countless Norwegian flowers, scrolls and swirls which still adorn the shutters and many tables in the church basement. I learned she used her seamstress skills and artist’s heart to create the banners hanging in the Dovre sanctuary to mark our Lutheran Calendar. She helped stitch quilts for Lutheran World Relief and was an active member of her beloved East Mission Circle. Virginia’s presence is still everywhere.

I learned that she was a professional teacher, but was affectionately called Mother Jacobson by many students. I learned that even though she taught English courses, coached forensics, taught stage presence, instilled manners, encouraged Shakespeare recitation, and trained high schoolers how to correctly conjugate verbs, she used her servant’s heart to quietly help students outside the classroom, too. From others I learned that even though money was tight in her own family, she helped a young student buy a letterman’s jacket who couldn’t afford one. Another time she bought a sweater for a student who simply needed one and when asked how she could be repaid, she told him to do something nice for someone else someday. He did. Many years later he gave a generous college scholarship in her honor.

Grandma Jacobson taught me, my sisters and cousins that Ovaltine tastes best before bed, that we should be good sports no matter the circumstances, that honor is more important than recognition. She believed that no distance was too far for her and Grandpa to travel for a grandchild’s baptism, play, athletic game, recital, concert, or wedding. She taught us to never be afraid to try new things and that many useful things can be learned from books, including upholstering. We learned from Grandma Jacobson to be flexible and not to apologize for having high expectations. We learned that a lot of love and support can be passed across the telephone wires. We learned that even if you can’t sing a note, you can still enjoy the music. We learned that little boys can enjoy tea parties as much as little girls. We learned to be quietly generous, to not accept poor service at a restaurant, to dream, to forgive, to have gumption. She taught us to watch for and savor the surprises in life whether it be wildflowers along the road or a twenty dollar bill hidden in a Hershey bar.

And through it all, one lesson was the strongest: Jesus loved us. She loved us. Love one another.

Virginia Jacobson died May 30, 2010 in Rice Lake, WI. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Kenneth, and son Peter. She is survived by her daughters Mary (Charles) Arntson of Chippewa Falls and Constance (Wayne) Olson of Chetek. Seven grandchildren: Noah (Jennifer) Arntson of LaCrescenta, CA, Hans (Leslie) Olson of Cameron, WI, Zachary (Angie) Arntson of Sterling Heights, MI, Jenna Arntson of Milwaukee WI, Hilary (Joe) Johnson of Shakopee, MN, Kjellrun Arntson of Hudson, WI, and Stephanie (Charlie) Schwandt of Minneapolis, MN, and 9 great-grandchildren, Ella, Anna, Brodrick, Elin, Kayla, Anders, Dane, Gavin and Emma.

A memorial service for Mrs. Jacobson will be held on Friday, June 4, 2010, at 2:00 pm at Dovre Lutheran Church in rural Chetek, WI. Rev. Rich Noeldner will officiate. Arrangements are through Olson Funeral Home in Bloomer, WI.

Hans Olson
Grandson
5-31-10