Arlene Marie Jacobson

Arlene Marie Jacobson, age 85, of Alexandria passed away on Sunday, November 26, 2023, surrounded by family.

Arlene was born on April 28, 1938, on a farm south of Sanborn, to Willie Ernest and Esther Alma (Karow) Hein.  Arlene was the third of four children. She was baptized at the Red Rock Evangelical United Brethren Church on August 28, 1938.

The family moved to a farm near Morris in 1949 and joined Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Arlene had wonderful memories of the barn and climbing to the cupola where they were able to see for miles in all directions. Sledding, games, jigsaw puzzles, 4-H, and hayrides kept her and her siblings relatively clear of any mischief. She graduated from Morris High School in 1956. 

Arlene met Richard Jacobson in Minneapolis. They were married on June 28, 1958 and began their married life living in Minneapolis where Arlene worked in a bank and Richard worked for Honeywell. They bought their first home in Brooklyn Park, in 1962. In 1969 they moved to Alexandria where they raised their three daughters Gail, Valerie, and Marilyn.

Arlene was a talented seamstress and enjoyed making clothes for the girls – especially for Easter and Christmas. She began working at Singer in downtown Alexandria and later as an accountant for Hustad Corporation and Interstate Marine. She loved numbers and had a remarkable knack for balancing the books.

Her faith was the biggest part of Arlene’s life.  She enjoyed Bible Study, quilting and serving in the kitchen at Bethesda Lutheran Church. She loved to play games with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and shared her love of reading, jigsaw puzzles and homemade treats with them. Reading was her favorite past-time, and she visited the local library frequently.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard in 2016, also by her parents and her sister, Delores.  Arlene is survived by her children Gail (Jerry) Leverson of Park Rapids, Valerie Ceroll of Sioux Falls, SD, and Marilyn (Wayne) Craig of Alexandria, nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.  Also survived by her brother Gilbert Hein of Fargo, ND, and sister Betty Reese of Alexandria.

We thank her wonderful caregivers at Knute Nelson her last two months. Arlene taught us to live with understanding, kindness, forgiveness, and JOY because of who she was to each of us.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2023, 10:00 – 11:00 AM at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Alexandria with a Memorial Service at 11:00 AM at the Church.  Burial will be at Geneva Cemetery.