Robert Jacobson

Robert Jacobson Robert Manfred Jacobson, 79, a resident of Otter Tail Lake, died Wednesday, July 22, 2009, at the Golden Living Center on Otter Tail Lake, MN. For many years he faced Parkinson’s Disease with persistence, courage and grace. He was born June 17, 1930, in Hibbing, Minnesota, the son of Clarence and Edna (Johnson) Jacobson. He grew up in Chisholm where he attended school, graduating in 1948. He attended St. Olaf College, graduating in 1952 with a degree in economics. He then attended the University of Minnesota, where he received his Master’s Degree in Hospital Administration. On December 27, 1953, he married Helen Syverson in Benson, MN. The couple lived in Duluth, where he served an internship at St. Luke’s Hospital. In 1954 he joined the U. S. Air Force, and was stationed in Montgomery, Alabama, Seneca Falls, New York, and then Labrador and St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. Upon his discharge in 1957, the family settled in Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he was the assistant administrator at the Lutheran Hospital. In 1963 they moved to Grand Forks, ND, and he became the administrator at the Deaconess Hospital. Robert was an instrumental part of the merger of St. Michael’s and Deaconess Hospitals. They became known as United Hospital, and he was named President, retiring in 1993. In 1997 they moved to their home on Otter Tail Lake, spending their winters in Goodyear, Arizona. He was a Rotarian, and an active member of the United Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, and Zion Lutheran Church of Amor. He also was the Past Chairman of the North Dakota Hospital Association, and of Blue Cross of North Dakota. He was an active member of many civic organizations in Grand Forks. Robert enjoyed music, and was involved in many church choirs. He was also a member of the Pebble Creek Singers in Arizona. He loved the lake, sailing, and many outdoor activities. He found special enjoyment spending time with his children and grandchildren, telling them stories and following their many activities. He and Helen owned and operated the Phelps Mill Store from 1984 – 2001.  Preceding him in death were his parents; his stepmother, Evelyn McKee Jacobson; a brother, Karl Jon David Jacobson; and two brothers-in-law, Luverne Syverson and Ralph Shapey. Survivors include his wife, Helen, of Otter Tail Lake; three daughters: Joanna (Curt) Sommer of Lakeville, MN, Deanna (Derrell) Stover of Heath Springs, SC, and Sarah (Greg) Cremers of East Grand Forks, MN; three sons: Mark Jacobson of Minneapolis, Dan (Joy) Jacobson of Fargo, ND, and Peter (Ann) Jacobson of Fargo, ND; 12 grandchildren: Matthew, Kyle, Benjamin, Allison, Rachel, Erik, Emily, Nathan, Kayla, Jacob, Megan and Lydia; a sister, Elsa Charlston Shapey of Chicago, IL; two sisters-in-law, Patricia Jacobson of Wheeling, WV, and Doris Syverson of Benson, MN; and several nieces and nephews. Memorials preferred to Altru Foundation in Grand Forks or Music Ministry of Zion Lutheran church-Amor. Visitation:     Beginning at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 26, 2009 with a public prayer service at 7 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Amor, MN Service:   11 a.m. Monday, July 27, 2009, at Zion Lutheran Church, Amor, MN Clergy:    Reverend James Gronbeck Interment:     Zion Cemetery, Amor, MN Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, MN