Shirley Abraham Jacobson - LHS Class of 1953

Shirley Ann Jacobson, daughter of Viola Linow Abraham Phillips, Paul Abraham, and (stepfather) Eirvin U. Phillips, was born on April 9th, 1935 in Bertha Minnesota. Shirley died peacefully on September 27th, 2020, at her home in Alexandria, Minnesota, just nine short months after her beloved husband, Douglas L. Jacobson. 

Shirley moved several times in her younger years. One of the moves brought her back to Alexandria, in the 7th grade, where she first met her future husband, Doug. She left Alexandria again and ultimately graduated from Leavenworth High School, Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1953. She was active in high school, serving as class president, in pep club, the Red Cross, and several other clubs. 

After graduation, Shirley moved to California to pursue a career in nursing, but soon returned to Alexandria to help her mom after her stepfather suffered a stroke. Shirley applied for a job at Diekman’s Jewelry. The owner, a former classmate of Shirley’s and good friend of Doug, was quick to inform “that Abraham girl” is back in town. Soon after, Doug contacted Shirley and arranged for a first date, and he then stood her up! Fortunately, she forgave him, and a true love began. Shirley and Doug were married on August 21, 1959 in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Three sons were born to the happy couple, Steve, Tony, and Tom. 

In 1970, Shirley and Doug packed their three boys and their belongings into a camper-converted school bus and headed north to Alaska, in search of a better life for their family. In 1979, Shirley and Doug built their first greenhouse in Wasilla, Alaska, the start of a new adventure that would define their lives and those of future generations of their family. Jacobson’s Greenhouse is a thriving business to this day. 

Shirley and Doug, and son, Tom returned to Alexandria in 2009, where they enjoyed the beautiful lakes and spending time with family and friends. Shirley continued to explore her passion for gardening, finding and planting all the newest colors and varieties of the flowers she loved so dearly. Visitors were never surprised to see her surrounded by stacks of gardening magazines and catalogs. 

The family is happy knowing that Shirley and Doug are reunited and are planting flowers in Heaven’s gardens. 

She is survived by her sons, Steve (Brenda) Jacobson of Wasilla, Alaska; Tony (Cynthia) Jacobson of Wasilla, Alaska; Tom Jacobson of Farwell; grandchildren, Cory (Blaise) Anderson of Grand Rapids; Robbie Jacobson of Wasilla, Alaska; Jeremy (Michelle) Jacobson of Wasilla, Alaska; and Toni Gail (Ben) Frank of Willow, Alaska; step granddaughters, Kirsten (Josh Sonkiss) Pickard of Tucson, AZ and Nikki Lee (Chris Hennen) of Wasilla, Alaska; great grandchildren, Kayden Jacobson; Marlee Jacobson; Otto Jacobson; and Greta Jacobson; step great grandson, Nick Pickard; sister Betty Dau of Alexandria and her family; sisters in law Gretchen (Darryl) Braget and Donna Dykhuizen; and other nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas L. Jacobson, her parents, her brother Wayne Abraham, daughter in law Nancy Jensen, and brother in law Duane Dykhuizen. 

Memorial services will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory of Alexandria, Minnesota. www.andersonfuneral.net

Together ♥♥♥ Forever

Douglas LeRoy Jacobson, the son of Daniel and Ida (Fischer) Jacobson, was born on October 3, 1933 in Alexandria, Minnesota.  Doug graduated from Central High School in the class of 1952.  He attended St. Cloud University for one year before enlisting into the United States Army.  Doug was stationed in Japan during the Korean War.  After two years serving our country, Doug returned to Minnesota and continued his education at St. Cloud University.  After college, Doug returned to Alexandria and applied for and obtained his insurance and real estate license. 

Doug met the love of life, Shirley Abraham.  They were united in marriage on August 21, 1959 in Thief Rivers Falls, MN.  Three sons were born to this union, Steve, Tony and Tom. In 1970, Doug and his family decided to move to Palmer, Alaska where he worked as a loan administrator for the State of Alaska for about 10 years.  Doug and Shirley decided to start a new adventure and in 1980 they built their first greenhouse in Wasilla, Alaska.  Through the years Doug continued to grow their business to be bigger and better with about 30 greenhouses, which his family continues to own and operate.  Doug and Shirley retired and moved to Alexandria in 2009, where they enjoyed the beautiful lakes and loved spending time with family and friends.

Douglas L. Jacobson died at his home on December 23, 2019 at the age of 86 years old.  He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley Jacobson of Alexandria; sons, Steve (Brenda) Jacobson of Wasilla, Alaska; Tony (Cynthia) Jacobson of Wasilla, Alaska; Tom Jacobson of Farwell; grandchildren, Cory (Blaise) Anderson of Grand Rapids, Robbie Jacobson of Wasilla, Alaska, Jeremy (Michelle) Jacobson of Wasilla, Alaska, and Toni Gail (Ben) Frank of Willow, Alaska; step granddaughters, Kirsten (Josh Sonkiss) Pickard of Tucson, AZ, and Nikki Lee (Chris Hennen) of Wasilla, Alaska; great grandchildren, Kayden Jacobson, Marlee Jacobson, Otto Jacobson and Greta Jacobson; step great grandson, Nick Pickard; sisters, Donna Dykhuizen of Brooklyn Center and Gretchen (Darryl Braget of Alexandria; sister-in-law, Betty Dau; nephew Dan Dykhuizen and other nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law; Duane Dykhuizen.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, December 30, 2019 at 2 PM at the Governor’s Room at Nelson Gables, 1220 Nokomis Street, Alexandria, MN.  Interment will be later at St. Luke’s Cemetery near Garfield, MN.

In Lieu of flowers memorials are preferred.