Maren Jacobson

Rae Maren Jacobson, age 97, of Dodge Center and formerly of Marshall, Minnesota, died surrounded by her family on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at her home. Memorial Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Cornerstone Church in Marshall. Interment will be in the Marshall Cemetery, followed by a reception back at the church. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Saturday, also at the church in Marshall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Cornerstone, Mayo Clinic Hospice, or the charity of your choice.

Rae Maren Olson was born on August 5, 1926, in Artesian, South Dakota to Lyle and Norma (Rodee) Olson. She graduated from Grand Meadow High School in 1944. She earned a teaching degree from Winona State Teacher's College and taught in Farmington, Minnesota.

On December 19, 1948, Maren was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Duane Merle Jacobson, in Grand Meadow. To this union were born four children, namely Peter, Lorrie, Janet, and Tom. Maren lovingly raised her family and then returned to teaching in 1970 as a paraprofessional in the Marshall Public Schools.  She continued in that role until her retirement when she and Duane became “winter Texans.”

The love of Maren’s life was Duane and their family. She enjoyed baking, sewing, reading, playing bridge and other games, family reunions, and canning and freezing the produce from Duane’s garden. She spent countless hours attending kids’ and grandchildren’s concerts, ball games, dance recitals, competitions, and swim meets.  She always brought a batch of her famous gingersnaps to share.  No one has been able to replicate the fingerprint she created on the bottom of each cookie!

Maren also loved music.  She had a beautiful soprano voice and played both the clarinet and tenor sax. She sang in many choirs and at weddings and funerals. While in college, she hitchhiked home on the weekends to play with her sisters in their dad’s dance band, Ole Olson and the Rhythm Kings.

In her later years, Maren lived with and was lovingly cared for by Janet and Melecio in Dodge Center, MN.  Those years were built around her interests such as visiting relatives and friends, her needs and routines which provided her with a remarkable and fulfilling quality of life.  Her passing was peaceful, comfortable, and perfect.

Maren was a faithful member of Wesley (now Cornerstone) Methodist Church where she was active in circle and United Methodist Women. She also belonged to Lona Chapter No. 12 of the Order of the Eastern Star where she held many leadership positions. She will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Maren is survived by her children, Janet (Melecio) Bugarin of Dodge Center, Tom (Joni) Jacobson of Alexandria; six grandchildren, Matthew (Illiana) Baisley of Bainbridge Island, WA, Michele (Kevin) Strohfus of Denver, CO, Megan (Mitch) Sibley of Boulder, CO, Spencer (Jenny) Jacobson of Aiea, HI, Elliot (Annie) Jacobson of St. Augustine, FL, Max (Jenna Knutson) of Minneapolis; great-grandchild, Winslow Strohfus; many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Duane; daughter, Lorrie; infant son, Peter; parents, Lyle and Norma; and two sisters, Elizabeth and Lila.