MARILYN JACOBSON
May 14, 1930 - September 20, 2019
Obituary
Marilyn Mae Jacobson, nee: Pingel, age 89, passed away Friday, September 20, 2019 at Brewster Village following a courageous four year battle with ovarian cancer that had recently spread to her brain.
She was born May 14, 1930 on the family farm in Greenville, Wisconsin to Lester and Gladys (Thorson) Pingel. She grew up on that farm which neighbored the farms of numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. There were so many fond memories of fun times growing up near her cousins. Many days were spent playing hide and seek in the woods, sailing homemade wooden boats on the pond, playing football or baseball in the yard, and making wild flower bouquets for their moms. Those very close relationships continued their entire lives. Marilyn played a big part in making sure they all remained in touch.
Marilyn was glad she grew up on a farm. Life was always busy with many chores to do. She loved all of the animals they had, especially the kitties. At the end of the day, there was always time for a game of sheepshead, which she learned to play when she was 5 or 6. Life centered around family and the Sunday dinner table, always full with extra family. The South Greenville Grange was a big part of their entertainment as they regularly attended dances, card parties and programs, many of which she performed at.
Marilyn graduated from Appleton High School in 1947 and went to work at Kimberly Clark in the stenographic department. She resigned to raise her family and returned to KC years later until her retirement. Throughout the years, she was also busy as girl scout leader and church secretary.
She met Earl Jacobson when she was a junior in high school at a Sunday evening dance at the Eagle's Ballroom in Oshkosh. He had just returned from serving in WWII, they were married 5 years later on September 16, 1950 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Appleton. They made Neenah their home. Earl and Marilyn enjoyed traveling and did so often with family and friends. Camping, golfing, bowling, and dancing were some of the other activities they loved to do together. They were blessed with two daughters, Karla and Diane. Marilyn always planned family summer vacations, often to visit relatives across the country, pulling their camper behind. Becoming grandparents was one of their greatest joys, rarely missing any of the kids activities or sporting events. Nothing has made her more proud than following the successes of her grandchildren.
This spunky, sassy little lady had many talents that she enjoyed sharing with all. She started piano lessons at age 8 and shared her talent as a church organist for more than 50 years. Her music brought joy to all who heard her, be it at weddings, concerts, or funerals. In her later years, she joined the Y-Nots singing group as their accompanist, entertaining throughout the valley, mostly at area nursing homes.
Marilyn was a person with many interests and a very busy social life. Her many activities included book club, music club, monthly pig out with former KC friends, reading, sewing, and genealogy, but she always had time for the daily crossword puzzle. She was known for her annual rhyming Christmas letter and her famous graham cracker torte. Marilyn wrote poetry and even published a song. After she retired, you needed to schedule an appointment if you wanted to catch her home. In recent years, spending time with her great-grandchildren was her greatest joy, bringing many smiles and lots of love.
A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, sister and friend, Marilyn is survived by two daughters: Karla (Marc) Koslowski, Diane (David) Wilfling, both of Neenah: Four grandchildren, Matthew (Molly) Koslowski, DeForest; Jennifer (Joseph) Soddy, Kaukauna; Dustin (Steven Hammes) Wilfling, Vadnais Heights, MN; and Devon (William) Dictus, Neenah: Six great-grandchildren: Brody and Colton Koslowski, Jacob and Josephine Soddy, Decker and Piper Dictus: Sister-in-law: Carlyn Pingel, Aunt: Vera Benzel, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl; parents, Lester and Gladys Pingel; parents-in-law, William and Jennie Jacobson; brother, Earl Pingel; Brothers and Sisters-in-law, Kenneth and Lucille (Jacobson) Johnson; Robert and Isabel Jacobson; Infant great-grandson, Patrick Koslowski and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, September 29th at 4 pm at OUR SAVIORS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 809 S. Commercial Street, Neenah with the Rev. Dennis Ellisen, Rev. Dean Pingel, and Rev. Mel Frahm officiating. Friends may call at Westgor Funeral Home, 205 W. Doty Avenue, Neenah on Saturday, September 28th from 4-7 pm and at the church on Sunday, September 29th from 1 pm until the time of service. She will be laid to rest on Monday, September 30th at 11 am at Oak Hill Cemetery, Neenah.
The family would like to thank the warm, compassionate staff of Symphony Broadway at Brewster Village, Dr. Timothy Goggins, ThedaCare Hospice and Oncology staff, and the former FVHO staff.
A memorial fund is being established for Batten Disease Support and Research Association (BDSRA) in honor of great-grandson Brody and the Neenah Animal Shelter.
Mom, Grandma and GG - we will miss you dearly. You blessed our lives and made everything so special. We are grateful for your quick wit, sense of humor, kindness and compassion. Those qualities enriched our lives and will continue to shape us forever. We will always love you.
“Those we hold most dear never truly leave us . . . they live on in the kindnesses they showed, the comfort they shared, and the love they brought into our lives.” - Isabel Norton -