Shirley J. Jacobson, age 75, of Garretson, SD passed away on Monday, January 15, 2024, at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls, SD.
Memorial services will be 11:00 am Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Zion Lutheran Church in Garretson, SD with Pastor Corey Scott officiating. Private family burial will take place at a future date at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Garretson.
Visitation will be Friday, January 26th from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at the Minnehaha Funeral Home in Garretson, SD.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the family, which will be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association of South Dakota and the Garretson School Playground Equipment Fund.
Shirley was born on April 27, 1948, in Sioux Falls to Harold and Violette (Tokheim) Christensen. Shirley grew up on the family farm just outside of Baltic and graduated from Baltic High School in 1966. She was active in school as a cheerleader, and she played French Horn in band. She also worked as a waitress at the café on Main Street in Baltic.
Shirley attended college at General Beadle State College (Dakota State University) in Madison, SD. She graduated with her teaching degree in 1970 and taught in Montrose as well as Adrian, MN. While attending college she met Dwayne “Jake” Jacobson and they were married on June 26, 1971, at Baltic Lutheran Church.
The couple lived in Salem and Madison after being married. While visiting her college roommate, Shirley fell in love with a house that was for sale and the couple moved to Garretson in 1974. They were later blessed with two children, Matthew and Amanda.
After moving to Garretson, Shirley was employed by the Garretson School District where she taught for over 30 years. Mrs. Jacobson taught third grade for most of her tenure before retiring in 2003.
Shirley faithfully dedicated her life to serving others. Her passion was teaching but she was also active in her church community and spent many hours painting, decorating, and caring for the church. After retiring she continued to be involved with the Garretson School District by substitute teaching and volunteering. As her parents aged, she helped care for them and visited them every weekend.
Shirley enjoyed time outdoors and caring for their family home. She loved to plant flowers and was known to be her happiest with her hands in the dirt. She and Jake spent time antique collecting and traveling to local flea markets, shops, and auctions. The two were also faithful to their alma mater, DSU, and attended every homecoming for over 50 years. After retirement, Shirley and Jake enjoyed spending time with close friends playing cards and traveling.
Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Dwayne “Jake” Jacobson, Garretson; children: Matthew (Heather) Jacobson of Garretson, Amanda (Nick) Schotzko of Garretson, grandchildren: Noah and Lucas Schotzko, Elsa and Ingrid Jacobson, brothers, Leland (Merry) Christensen, Richard (Bobbi) Christensen, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Violette Christensen and in-laws, Kenneth and Arvella Jacobson.
