Maryellen Jacobson

Maryellen Jacobson, 76, passed away unexpectedly on February 10, 2017, at her home. The eldest of four children, Maryellen was born on July 6, 1940, in Eau Claire, to Gerald and Beatrice (Pokrandt) Looby. She grew up on Eau Claire’s East Side Hill and graduated from Regis High School in 1958. Maryellen attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and graduated from Sacred Heart Hospital’s Medical Technologist program in 1962. She began her career at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, where she met her husband, William “Bill” Jacobson. Maryellen worked as a Medical Technologist for Sacred Heart for over 45 years and retired in April 2010. Maryellen and Bill were united in marriage on February 1, 1964, at the Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd; they had two children, James and Jane. She enjoyed attending China-Burma-India Theater Reunions with Bill and his WWII service members and travelling to Norway to visit relatives. Maryellen’s creativity showed in her passion for sewing, quilting, card-stamping, and knitting. She shared a passion for genealogy with family and research friends. She was a generous soul and spent the last several years of her life caring for her husband, Bill. Maryellen is survived by her son, Brigadier General James (Nancy) Jacobson, Scott AFB, IL; daughter, Jane (Gregg) Hoesley, La Crosse; grandchildren, Ian and Siena Jacobson; step-grandchildren, Trevor and Taylor Hoesley; siblings and their spouses, Richard (Doris) Looby, Texas, Ginny (Pat) Purdiak, Eau Claire, and Larry (Jeanne) Looby, Eau Claire; step-sons William T. (Wendy) Jacobson, California, and Jeff (Karen) Jacobson, California; step-grandchildren, Michael (Brenda) Atkinson, Aaron, Erik, and Emily Jacobson, and Katie Jacobson; step-great-grandchildren, Shane and Azia Atkinson; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bill; Bill’s siblings and their spouses, Alyce (Paul) Bailey, Sylvester (Marion) Jacobson, Vernon (Virginia) Jacobson, and Rychard (Jeannette) Jacobson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Oscar and Benelia Jacobson; step-son, Peter Jacobson; and step-daughter, Portia Jacobson. Maryellen was blessed to have the friendship and support of her long-time friends; neighbors; “laboratory” family at Sacred Heart Hospital; monthly coffee group; knitting group; card-making group; and genealogy friends. Her children would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to her family, friends, and neighbors for their unwavering support shown to Maryellen especially after Bill’s death. Burial will be at a later date in the spring at the Springbrook Lutheran Cemetery in Dunn County, Wisconsin. “Cardinals appear when angels are near.”

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