LaVerne June Jacobson

BESSEMER TOWNSHIP, Mich. - LaVerne June Jacobson, 86, a longstanding resident of Bessemer Township, passed away Wednesday evening, Jan. 23, 2019.

She was the first of 10 children born to the late Jennie (Johnson) and Gustav Jacobson, of Bessemer, on July 2, 1932, at home. She joined half-brother, William "Bill" and half-sister, Muriel.

She attended Bessemer schools and graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in 1950 with fond memories of cheerleading. Immediately upon graduating, she moved to Chicago with friends to seek employment opportunities.

LaVerne was united in marriage to Victor H. Jacobson (unrelated) at Sharon Lutheran Church on Sept. 5, 1953. They made their home in Bessemer and Menomonee Falls, Wis., until divorcing in 1974.

She was employed her entire adult life, mostly in secretarial, bookkeeping and office management positions, along with various part-time jobs, retiring from the Gogebic County Road Commission office in 1992.

She loved her home and enjoyed cooking, decorating, embroidering, jigsaw puzzles and animals, but her main joy in life was her time spent with family. She felt blessed being from a large, close family. She was "Grandma Bern."

LaVerne was an active lifelong member of Sharon Lutheran Church where she was baptized, confirmed and married. She taught Sunday school, assisted on the altar care committee, quilted, and gladly helped with other activities. She was a devoted Christian with a strong faith and a generous kind heart who seldom spoke negatively of anyone. She was a compassionate caregiver throughout her life and always strived to meet the needs of others. She was loved by all who knew her and was a dear friend to many.

Survivors include her son, Jay (Carolyn), Clayton, N.C .; daughter, Holly (Rod) Halvorson, Bessemer; grandchildren, Ryan (Jessica) Jacobson, Brittany (Cameron) Jones and Alexander (Jenna) Jacobson; great-grandchildren, Ryleigh and James Dunn-Jacobson, Paven Jones and expected Keelyn Jacobson, all of North Carolina; brothers, Richard "Dick," Harvey (Luise) and Terry (Sharon); sisters, Nancy Massi, Ginger (Jerome) Suzik, Janice (John) Hanley and Lyn (Dan) Corullo; great-aunt, Gladys Margetta; special cousins, Harriet Hallquist and Denice Turney; special lifelong friend and relative through marriage, Marilyn Martin; sister-in-law, Diane Speaker; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

Preceding her in death besides her parents, Jennie and Gustav; were siblings, Bill, Muriel, Warren "Butch," and Ronald; sisters-in-law, Mary and Diane; mother-in-law, Vienna; father-in-law, Gunnard; husband, Vic; brothers-in-law, Richard Massi and Richard Speaker; daughter-in-law, Lyn; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, Jan. 29, at Sharon Lutheran Church, 100 E. Sellar St., in Bessemer, with the Rev. Bill Jacobson officiating. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. with a memorial service to follow at 11 a.m. A luncheon will be served at the church's Kastman Hall following the service.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the exceptional caring and compassionate staff at Aspirus Help at Home and the Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.