Gerald A. Jacobson, 80, Fertile, MN, passed away on Sunday, January 15, 2023, at Riverview Health in Crookston, MN.
Gerald “Jerry” Allen Jacobson was born on January 18, 1942, to Alfred and Gladys (Eggen) Jacobson on a rural farm in Woodside Township. He was baptized and confirmed at Maple Lake Lutheran Church in Maple Bay. He attended 4 years of rural school and graduated from Fertile-Beltrami High School. As a Junior in High School, he met the love of his life, Lynn (Erikson). They were married on June 30, 1963. They had 4 children; Geoffrey, Steven, Amy, and Elizabeth. Their children filled their early years with activities, birthday parties, family outings, and so much love. He continued to have such a close bond and relationship with all of his children and cherished the memories made.
Gerald started and was involved in many business operations during the course of his life. He sold graphic arts equipment and soon pursued his dream to start his own advertising newspaper. In 1969 he started the Valley Shopper in Crookston, MN. This was followed by several other Shoppers; the Tri-County Press in Grand Forks, ND, and the North Star Shopper in Thief River Falls, MN. He owned and operated a printing company for many years that produced custom printing and screen printing. He also produced the Hartz Grocery Circular. He dabbled in farming, sold real estate, and even up until his death, operated a weekly mail run and served Polk County as a County Commissioner for 14 years. Jerry was a hard worker and loved to stay busy. Jerry always maintained a strong faith. He was an active member of Little Norway Lutheran Church in Fertile and held various positions there.
In Jerry’s leisure time, he enjoyed woodworking, hunting, history, whistling, old westerns, and country music. He also had a fondness for old cars and tractors. Most weekends you could find Jerry and Lynn on the dance floor in a town along the mail run. They taught many couples how to dance through community education or couples looking to learn how to dance for their wedding. He and Lynn loved to travel. They were fortunate to visit most of the United States plus cross-country trips across Canada, and South Africa-to visit their exchange student Meryll Matthews who became like a daughter to them, and Norway to visit relatives. Lynn and Jerry also maintained a friendly competition of playing cards and board games. Jerry loved to listen to and tell stories. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren, Alex, Ella, and Hartley. They all went on a camping trip every summer, and he went to their many activities and was a constant presence in their lives. They were the light of his life, and he was extremely proud of them.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 59 ½ years, Lynn; children, Geoff (Tammy), Steven (Dawn), Amy (Matt) Bounds, and Elizabeth; brother, Maynard (Joan) Jacobson; sister-in-law, Sue Jacobson, brother-in-law, Rolf Erikson; and grandchildren, Alex, Ella, and Hartley, and many cherished nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Gladys Jacobson; brother, David Jacobson; sister, Maxine (Jacobson) Williams; brother-in-law, Gene Williams; and father and mother-in-law, Luther and Lois (Johnson) Erikson.
Jerry always had a smile on his face and would strike up a conversation with anyone, as he genuinely cared about people. Blessed be his memory.
Jerry always said, “I have a wonderful family, I have no regrets. My life has been a blessing.”
Funeral: 10:30 AM, Saturday, January 21, 2023, at Little Norway Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.
Visitation: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Friday, January 20, 2023, at Little Norway Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN, with a prayer service to begin at 6:30 PM.
Burial: Little Norway Lutheran Cemetery, Fertile, MN.
