Helen Jacobson

Helen (Syverson) Jacobson passed away peacefully on July 8, 2018 at Farmstead Care in Moorhead. Helen Mae was born October 17, 1932 at home in Hoff Township, Pope County Minnesota. Her parents were Sidney and Ida (Lene) Syverson. She was raised on the family farm and attended school in rural Clontarf and in Benson, Minnesota, graduating in 1950. She attended St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota and transferred to St. Cloud State University where she graduated with an Elementary Education degree in 1953. While at St. Olaf she met the love of her life, Robert Jacobson, and they were married on December 27, 1953 in Benson. The couple lived in Duluth, Minnesota, and then Robert joined the Air Force. They were stationed in Montgomery, Alabama, Seneca Falls, New York, and St. John’s, Newfoundland. While in Seneca Falls she taught kindergarten. Upon Robert’s discharge from the Air Force they settled in Fort Dodge, IA. While in Fort Dodge she was a substitute teacher and was active in her church while raising three young boys. The family moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota in 1963, where three girls were added to the family. She was active raising her children, developing life-long friendships and involved in many community organizations and activities. Otter Tail Lake was a special place in her life, where she treasured time with extended family and friends. She was designated as the beach neighborhood activities director, organizing cribbage tournaments, volley ball games and patio dances. Her caramel rolls were legendary and enjoyed by many. Helen began her entrepreneurial phase in 1982, opening the Balmoral Square Ice Cream Parlor, employing her daughters. She purchased the Phelps Mill Store, opening in 1985, one week after her daughter’s wedding. She operated the store until 2001. Bob and Helen purchased a home in Goodyear, Arizona in 1997. They enjoyed winters there together, along with many visits from family, until Bob’s passing in 2009. She continued to spend winters there until 2016. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert M. Jacobson, her daughter, Deanna (Jacobson) Stover, her parents and her brother, Luverne Syverson, brothers in law, Karl Jacobson, Ralph Shapey, and sister in law, Doris Syverson. She is survived by her sons Mark Jacobson, Richville, MN, Dan (Joy) Jacobson, Fargo, ND, Peter (Ann) Jacobson, Detroit Lakes, MN and daughters Joanna (Curt) Sommer, Lakeville, MN, Sarah (Greg) Cremers, Blaine, MN and grandchildren, Matthew Jacobson and fiancé Madison Krebsbach, Benjamin (Alyssa) Jacobson, Rachel (Jeremy) Pulling, Kyle (Kristen) Sommer, Allison Sommer, Erik Sommer, Emily (Parker) Lawley, Nathan Jacobson, Lydia Jacobson, Megan Cremers, Kayla Cremers, Jacob Cremers; two sister in laws, Elsa Charleston Shapey of Chicago, IL and Patricia Jacobson of Wheeling, WV, and several nieces and nephews. The family extends deep gratitude to the staff of Farmstead Care and Hospice of the Red River Valley for the exceptional care they provided Helen during the final stage of her life. The family requests memorials to Zion Lutheran Church, Lutheran World Relief, or Hospice of the Red River Valley. Visitation will be 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. with a memorial service following at 1:00 on Monday, July 16, 2018 at Zion Lutheran Church in Amor, MN.