Alice M. Jacobson

Alice M. Jacobson, 99, of Paynesville, died Saturday, June 22, 2019, at Koronis Manor in Paynesville.  Her memorial service will be 2:00 pm Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at Stockholm Lutheran Church in rural Cokato.  Burial will be at Stockholm Township Cemetery in rural Cokato.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.  Services are entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville.  

Alice Marie Jacobson grew up on her family farm in Cokato, MN. She always told us that she had the best father and mother you could have. Her father was a farmer and carpenter by trade. He taught his children the love of animals and the land. The children walked 10 miles to school. In the winter her father would take the children to school in the horse-drawn sleigh with heated bricks for keeping their feet warm. Her father also crafted skis for all the children. Alice's mother had a wood-burning stove and would bake bread,

cookies, and cakes for her family and "meat & potato" meals as a farmer's wife. She sewed many of the children's clothes and taught her daughters how to sew, cook, and clean. Alice often told stories of their school days, farm experiences, ice skating on the river & lakes, and the other "adventures" her brothers and sisters had growing up.

Alice married Leon C. Gilmer on March 3, 1936. They both worked at Northern Pump in the cities during the wartime (making ammunitions). They were married for 37 years and lived in several locations in Minnesota. Their lives were not easy as they started out with very little during the depression years.

They always tried to do the best for their 4 children. Their lives included many visits from relatives on both sides of the families. Alice was known for being a good cook and serving others. It was a tradition to help make potato sausage and Christmas cookies for the holiday. These were very much a big family activity.

Alice married Eric Jacobson in 1972 in California. They were married for 3 years. Eric enjoyed Alice's hobby of gardening, and they both enjoyed traveling. One of their highlights in life was traveling to

Sweden. Alice learned many things about her Scandinavian Heritage while there. Alice and Eric lived in Anoka, MN until Eric's passing in 1975.

The last man in Alice's life was Willis Daniels. Their friendship spanned more than 14 years. Willis enjoyed Alice's passion for traveling and buying and selling houses. They spent many hours scrubbing, painting, and reconditioning houses for resale. In the winter they would often travel to Arkansas or Arizona. Willis passed away in March 2013.

Alice always loved and cared for her children. She also worked at Baker's Department Store, Crystal Furniture, and did housecleaning and home care for others. Alice spent different times in her life closer to one or the other of her children. She always took great pride in their accomplishments, even when distances separated them. She was always joyful when another grandchild was born. She was fortunate to hold some of her great-great-grandchildren.

Alice's favorite flower was the rose. In most of her gardens, or around her homes she would have rose bushes. She was always weeding and caring for her plants and yard. She lived in her own home, doing most of her yard and housework until the age of 95.

Alice will probably be remembered for being that feisty redhead who would always stand up for what she believed in.  Alice was raised in the Lutheran faith and was baptized and confirmed in the Stockholm Lutheran Church near Cokato, MN.

Alice Marie Jorgenson was born April 6, 1920, in Cokato, MN to Anna (Betson) and Axel Jorgenson. Alice is the last survivor of her family of 14. Her brothers and sisters were:

Edna (Edgar) Berg, Grace (Clements) Osborne, Rupert (Winnie) Jorgenson, Chester Jorgenson, Lulu Jorgenson-Brokl, Violet (William) Stifter, Blanch (Arnold) Linnemeier, Clarence (Delia) Jorgenson, Dorothy (Walter) Salmela, Lloyd (Helen) Jorgenson, & Annette (Larmond) Miller.

Alice's children are: Gloria (Quinten) Kaunzner of Isanti, MN; Deloris (Robert) Haines of Paynesville, MN; Joyce (Charles) Ford of Mpls., MN; and James Gilmer of Paynesville, MN.

Alice's grandchildren are: Sheryl (Jim) Zagaros, Cindy Kaunzner, Linda (Jim) Fransen, Mike (Shelly) Kaunzner, Megan and Amy Ford, Victoria and Thomas Gilmer, Tim (Tracey) Haines.

Alice's great-grandchildren are: Kimberly (Mike) Johnson, Matthew (Amanda) Kaunzner, Elizabeth Kaunzner, John (Jenny) Kaunzner, William Kaunzner; Taylor, Tanner, Tori & Ty Haines.

Alice's great-great-grandchildren are: Alyson & Lauren Johnson; Zoey & Falen Kaunzner; and Henry Bush.

We give special recognition to Alice's friends: Margie Hoiseth; Pam & Jeff Lieser Family; and her Koronis Manor Care Center Family.

Memorials preferred to The Koronis Manor Care Center or Rose Center in Paynesville.

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