Marie Jacobson • 1918- 2011

Marie Jacobson, 92, Crosby, ND, died Sunday, September 4, 2011 in a Crosby hospital.

Marie was born November 26, 1918, on her parents’ farm at Plaza, ND to Louis and Anna Van Eeckhout.   Marie was one of seven children and was raised in Plaza.  She attended grade school in Wabek and high school in Plaza.  She earned a diploma degree in Nursing from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Minot.

 Marie was hired to manage the Ambrose, ND hospital.  In Ambrose, Marie met Arnold Jacobson.  On November 23, 1940, Marie and Arnold were married. 

Marie filled her life with faith, family, friends, and working and volunteering in healthcare.  Marie and Arnold had three children, Bob, Van Steven, and Deb, and raised their family on their farm south of Crosby.  Bob married Sue Stenger and they had one son, Tom.  Deb married Michael Melby and they had a son, Rob, and a daughter, Megan.  Both Bob’s and Deb’s families continued the tradition of farming.  Marie loved nurturing her children, grandchildren, and great granddaughters.  She also dearly loved her nieces and nephews.

After marrying Arnold in 1940, Marie began working as a Registered Nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital in Crosby, ND.  She held various positions throughout her nursing career and retired in 1987.  She also served on the hospital’s Foundation Board and committees for physician recruitment and fundraising.  Marie was instrumental in establishing North Dakota’s first public clinics for women’s health.  Her volunteer activities included local, state, and national positions with the American Cancer Society, Chairman and volunteer for the Reach for Recovery breast cancer program, and volunteering at the Crosby Good Samaritan Center and St. Luke’s Hospital.  Marie also served on the ND Board of Mental Health, chaired the Northwest Human Service Center Board of Directors and Advisory Board of Directors, and was honored and privileged to be a member of the University of Mary’s Board of Regents.

Marie was an active member of St. Patrick’s Church in Crosby, ND, and the Christian Cursillo movement in Williston, ND, and Sidney, MT.  At church, Marie enjoyed serving as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, with the Parish Council, Altar Guild society, and the Prayer Chain.  She also cherished the opportunities to visit The Vatican in 1978, 1996, and 1998.

Marie also enjoyed activities and clubs such as the St. Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, Women of the Moose, ND Association of Family and Community Education Homemakers, and the Meadowlark Arts Council.  Marie loved traveling, entertaining, gardening, Christmas and  “feeding the men” at harvest-time.  Her friends and family enjoyed her delicious meals and baked goods, especially her fudge and divinity. 

Marie passed away on September 4, 2011 at St. Luke’s Hospital, where she had served much of her life.

Marie is survived by her children, Robert “Bob” (Sue) Jacobson of Scottsdale, AZ; Deb Melby and her husband Michael of Crosby, ND; grandson, Thomas Jacobson of Williston, ND; grandson, Rob Melby of Crosby, ND, granddaughter, Megan (Melby) Carranza and her husband Aaron of Minneapolis, MN; great-granddaughter, Katie Long  of Williston, ND, and great-granddaughter, Maren Carranza of Minneapolis, MN; brother, Joe Van Eeckhout and his wife Mary of Minot, ND; brother-in-law, Daryl Kramer of Minot, ND; sister-in-law Della Van Eeckhout of Minot, ND; sister-in-law Rosie Van Eeckhout; and sister-in-law, Helga Sjue of Fargo, ND; many nieces and nephews; and her faithful kitty, Jetta. 

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Anna (Rutten) and Louis Van Eeckhout; husband, Arnold Jacobson; infant son, Van Steven Jacobson; sisters, Felicia “Fliss” Legg and her husband Jim; Dolores “Lorry” Kramer; brothers, George Van Eeckhout; Charles “Bud” Van Eeckhout and his wife Hope; and Robert “Bob” Van Eeckhout; sisters-in-law Thelma Jacobson and Arlette Sjue and her husband, Gus; and brother-in-law Gudmann Sjue.

Memorials are preferred to the St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation in Crosby, ND, the University of Mary or the Sacred Heart Monestary of Richardton, ND.

Funeral:  Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Crosby, ND.

Vigil Prayer Service:  Friday, September 9, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Crosby, ND.

Visitation:  Friday, September 9, 2011 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Crosby, ND.

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