John Alan Jacobson

John Alan Jacobson, passed away on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at the age of 94 of congestive heart failure with his beloved wife, Diane, by his side, holding his hand at their apartment in Brooklyn Center, MN. 

John was born April 11, 1928 in Minot, North Dakota to John E and Marie (Olson) Jacobson.  Their family of 4 boys and 1 girl moved around various cities in North and South Dakota.  John often made return trips to those cities in the Dakotas, dragging along one or more of brothers, reminiscing about the good old days of their childhood. 

John served in the 45th Infantry Division in the Korea War.  He said it was the best and worst time of his life.  The best because of the men he met.  His stories with these men were riveting. The worst part he never spoke of. 

John married Dorine Zenner on October 27, 1953.  They were married 58 years and had four children, Maureen, Mark, Linda and Elizabeth.  The family moved around to different cities in the upper Great Lakes region due to John’s managerial jobs at Gamble Robinson.  In 1965 the family moved to St. Cloud, MN to be close to extended family. There, John worked at JC Penney as a furniture salesman until his retirement in 1990. But retirement didn’t last long. For several years he managed Days Inn hotels throughout the upper Midwest. That might have been his favorite job.  He liked working at different hotels and the unexpected challenges each day brought.

John loved to travel, but only road trips. He was adamant that air travel missed the best part of the vacation, the scenery, lunch at rest stops and long sit-down meals at restaurants along the way. He loved travel so much when he wasn’t actually on-the-road, it was equally satisfying to talk about past trips or plan trips that were never taken.

John’s mind was alert and agile until the end.  His memory astonishing.  He especially enjoyed when nieces, Nancy and Sue, visited which gave him an opportunity to tell childhood stories about their father, Robert.

John was an avid reader.  The more intrigue, mystery and conspiracy the better.  He loved books so much he volunteered at various branches of the Great Lakes Regional Library for several  years. 

Part of his morning routine was working New York Times crossword puzzles with a cup of coffee.  It had to be the NYT Sunday edition though.  All others were too easy. 

Ten (10) years ago John met Diane McCormick.  She moved into the apartment next door in Big Lake, MN.  He fell in love with her immediately.  They were married August 10, 2012 and had 3,442 precious days together.  They moved 8 times including 16 glorious months in Gainesville GA, enjoying the warm weather and eating out regularly with Diane’s brother Dick and his wife Sandra, until his health deteriorated to a point where he knew he had to move back to Minnesota for care. 

John is survived by wife, Diane; children, Maureen, Mark (Diana “Dee”) Jacobson and Elizabeth Jacobson; three grandchildren, Christina (Matt) Brun, Brittany (John) Reading and Brooks Hassman; great-granddaughter, Marcella Reading; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

John is preceded in death by mother, Marie (Olson) Jacobson; father, John E Jacobson; wife Dorine; daughter, Linda (Skip) Hassman; siblings, Robert Jacobson, Loren Jacobson, Donald Jacobson; sister, Marilyn (Jacobson) Newnam; and several nieces and nephews.

Diane would like to extend her gratitude to the staff at Maranatha assisted living facility.  Their kindness made the last 6 months of their life together very special.

A memorial service will be held Friday, January 20, 2023 at 12:00 PM, with visitation one hour prior, at Dare’s Funeral Home, 805 Main St NW, Elk River, MN. Burial with military honors will follow at Assumption Cemetery in St. Cloud, MN.

Serving the family is Dare’s Funeral Home of Elk River, MN. 763-441-1212. www.daresfuneralservice.com

Our family would like to thank St Croix Hospice for their compassionate care and keeping John comfortable during each stage of his illness.  And also we would like to thank Pastor Steve Munger for traveling from Pennsylvania to officiate the funeral.  Pastor Munger officiated Diane and John’s wedding almost 10 years ago.  It means so much to Diane, as we know it would to John, that you are completing the circle of their life together with your inspired Words from God. 

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