Irene M. Jacobson

Irene Marie Jacobson, of Crystal, Minnesota, passed away peacefully early Monday, March 16, 2020.

Irene was born March 23, 1935, in Onamia, Minnesota. Irene grew up on a dairy farm on the outskirts of Onamia along with 11 siblings.  She worked hard helping on the farm, including the milking chores. Irene graduated from Onamia High School in 1953.  She married the love of her life, Earl Jacobson, on September 19, 1953, and lived in St. Paul and Robbinsdale for a few years before finally settling in Crystal, where they raised their 9 children (7 boys and 2 girls).

She is survived by her daughters, Jane Cash (Tom), Janet Jacobson; sons, James (Janith Vermilya-Jacobson), Gerald, Jeffrey (Cathy), and Roger (Angie).  She has 9 grandchildren (Thomas, Matthew, Tyler, Emily, Jenifer, Jeremy, Lisa, Lori, and Elizabeth) and 7 great grandchildren. Survived by siblings, Margaret, Genevieve, Lorraine, Louise, Delores, Clarice, and James. She was preceded in death by husband Earl (2012), and 3 sons, Robert, David, William, and by siblings, Anna, John, and Frances.

Irene’s passion was her family, both immediate and extended.  Irene was very focused on helping her children have a better life than she did.  She encouraged them to do the best they could in education as well as creative endeavors in band, choir, and sports. She ran a tight household to support those endeavors.  Once her children were raised, she went back to work for the Federal Reserve, from where she retired. Through all of this was Irene’s constant passion for cards, gardening, flowers, and vegetables. She was always tending to her plants inside and outside.  She loved her cruise trips, as well as the numerous road trips she took with her siblings. She could often be found reading or working on word-finds. She was a resident of NorthRidge Care Center for the last few years, where she received wonderful and patient care. She was a longtime member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. She will be dearly missed by all.

Due to the Coronavirus, the funeral Service at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church will be private for immediate family only.  The internment will be at Fort Snelling where she will be laid to rest alongside Earl and her two infant sons Robert and David.