On Monday, June 18, 2012, Florence Jean Jacobson was born into Eternal Life. Florence devoted her life to her late husband Al, their children and extended family. Al was her best friend, VW bus traveling companion, but mainly, the love of her life until his death in 2000. Florence was greatly comforted at the end of her life by her abiding faith, the unwavering care provided by her daughter Kristin, her circle of steadfast friends from Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, and the caring staff at the remarkable Aspen Gardens.
Florence was born in Chicago on February 16, 1924, to Joseph George Carter and Alice Zuri Howell Carter. She attended Valparaiso University before marrying Al after the war in 1946. Florence, Al and their baby son pulled up their Midwestern roots in 1950, and left for Billings, MT, where they made many life-long friends and began to raise their family. They returned to the Midwest in 1958, settling in West Bend, WI, where they remained until returning in retirement to the Montana they missed so much.
Florence’s calling in life was church and family. She was an expert seamstress, and taught her children, boys and all, to sew. She loved to read, paint and garden, and passed that love on to her children. Florence was active in the West Bend League of Women Voters, and was a devoted Sunday school teacher at the American Lutheran Church in Billings, and Our Savior’s in West Bend.
A great sadness in Florence’s life was the loss of her oldest daughter, Karla Hood, to cancer on June 18, 2010. Also preceded in death by her parents Joseph G. and Alice Carter, and her brother Joseph Carter, Florence is survived by her children Knute (Mary) Jacobson (Wauwatosa, WI), Kristin (Ross Tervo) Jacobson (Helena), Paul (Cindy) Jacobson (Minneapolis, MN), and Tom Jacobson (Healdsburg, CA), her sister Katherine Childress (Sun City, AZ), grand children Tucker and Abbey Hood, Elizabeth Jacobson, and Hillary and Spencer Tervo, and great-granddaughter Avery Hood.
A celebration of Florence’s life will be held at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, 1400 Stuart Street, Helena, MT, 59601, on Saturday, June 23 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive guests beginning at 10:30 a.m., and a reception will follow at the church. The interment at Ft. Harrison Veterans cemetery is private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church and Aspen Gardens, 13 Bumblebee Ct., Helena, MT, 59601.
Beth Warpmaeker says
Paul and Cindy,
You are in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time. Peace to you.
Pastor Beth, Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Bev Hill says
Kristen and family, I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept my sympathy. Your mom was a special lady and I feel privilaged to have known her.
Carol Pfleiderer says
Paul and Cindy,
My sympathy and prayers to you and your family at the death of your mother. May you feel comforted as your gather with loved ones in a place she loved.
Carol Pfleiderer
Janice Glass says
I am so sorry for your loss, Kristin. I so enjoyed my time with your mom, although I doubt she felt the same way. She was always so annoyed that I interrupted Oprah and Dr. Phil to do PT exercises. I have to smile thinking of her reunion with Karla! You are also in my thoughts and prayers, Abby.
T. Kelly says
May the family find comfort in fond memories and in knowing that God is “near to those that are broken at heart; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.” (Psalm 34:18) Our loving Creator, Jehovah God, has promised to soon “swallow up death forever…and wipe the tears from all faces.” (Isaiah 25:8) With deepest sympathy.