Mary Carlena Jacobson

Mary Carlena Jacobson, age 91, of St. Peter, and formerly from White Bear Lake, passed away on Sunday, August 8, 2021. Memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Sunday, August 15, 2021 at Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Peter, with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church as well. Graveside service will be at 1 p.m., on Monday, August 16, 2021 in Poplar Hill Cemetery, Elmwood, WI 54740. Coffee and Cake will be served at the Rock Elm Methodist Church, 5591 170^th Street, Elmwood, WI 54740 immediately following the burial. Please share a memory of Mary and view her memorial service livestreamed at www.saintpeterfuneralhome.com

Mary Carlena Kilgore (Jacobson) was born on May 21, 1930 in Rock Elm, Wisconsin, to Vernon and Bernice Kilgore.  She had one sister, Phyllis (Fischer).  She grew up on her family farm and attended school through the 8th grade at the Rock Elm school house and graduated from Elmwood High School in 1948.  She went on to attend college at River Falls Teachers College and earned a Teaching Certificate to teach in rural schools. In 1951, she taught at the Harrison School in Union Township (outside of Plum City) before marrying Eldon Jacobson on May 26th, 1951.  They began their married life in Cochrane, Wisconsin, then on to Marshfield, Wisconsin, South St. Paul, Minnesota and then spent many years in White Bear Lake.  In 1973, they moved to St. Peter, Minnesota.  She was a wife and mother, raising four children: Dale, Debbie, Sally and Lee Ann. She enjoyed her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mary was a hard worker with a lot of energy.  She was always involved in some kind of project … painting, wallpapering, and refinishing furniture. She helped her kids with renovating their homes and would always bring along a hot dish.  She enjoyed going to auctions and garage sales and loved antiques, with a special interest in kerosene lamps.   She took pride in what she called “being Scotch”, which really meant being extremely frugal and nothing could be thrown away.    There was no such thing as expired food which we believe contributed to the great immune system of her children!  She made many good friends when she was an Avon lady in St. Peter and was also an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church.  She enjoyed going out to coffee and playing cards. She loved the family farm and could come up with lots of jobs for her son, Dale, to do.  She and Eldon spent their retirement winters at Venture Out in Mesa, Arizona.  She took classes there and learned how to make stained glass, a hobby she enjoyed for years and kept her busy during the COVID quarantine.  Eldon passed away in 2002 and in 2017, Mary moved from her home to Heritage Meadows Senior Living apartments in St. Peter, where she was met with many kind and caring staff and residents.  Due to declining health, she moved to an assisted living apartment in Faribault this last June to be closer to family.  She recently fell and fractured her ribs and left us 2 days later.  Mary will be missed, but has left her family and friends with many great memories and stories that make us laugh.  She lived a good life.

Mary is survived by her children, Dale (Joanne) of Spring Valley, WI, Debra Adamic of Stillwater, MN, Sally Jacobson of Stillwater, MN, Lee Ann (Brad) Lechtenberg of Faribault, MN; grandchildren, Leah Mooney (Mike dec.), Holly (Joe) Lee, Sarah (Laiken) Warrick, John (Katie) Adamic, Lee (Lila) Adamic, Carrie (Ryan) Windett, Lauren Adamic, Henry Schmaltz, Molly Schmaltz, Karl Schmaltz, Jacob Lechtenberg, Charlie (Marinda) Lechtenberg, Emma (Dwayne) Hua, and Annie Lechtenberg; 11 great-grandchildren, as well as numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Eldon; parents; and her sister, Phyllis; and son-in-law Joel Adamic.