Shirley M. Jacobson, age 105, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at Avantara Care Center in Watertown.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at the Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at Grace Lutheran Church in Watertown with Pastor Cheryl Rondeau-Bassett officiating.
Burial will be at Skudesnes Lutheran Church Cemetery near Pierpont, SD.
Pallbearers will be Joshua, Justin, Joseph, Eric, Landon and Brady Knight.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Sam and Adam Knight, and Michael Chadwell.
Shirley Mae Jacobson, daughter of William and Helen (Butterfield) Amsden was born on December 29, 1916 in rural South Dakota. She grew up in Lodgepole, (Perkins County) SD where she attended country school. After graduating from high school, Shirley went on to graduate from Northern State University. In the mid 1930s, while she was still in college and a shortage of teachers, Shirley was asked to teach at a country school near Pierpont, SD. She taught 32 children, many of whom could not speak English.
During Christmas break, Shirley married Melvin “Sherman” Jacobson on December 30, 1936 near Pierpont. The couple was blessed with three beautiful children, Marlys, Bill and Mary. The family lived in Day County on the homestead of Sherman’s family. Shirley spent the next few decades helping on the farm, growing a luscious garden and raising their children. Although rural life was difficult in that era, Shirley enjoyed that pace of life. The family also lived near Langford, Garden City and Bristol before moving to Watertown in 1966. Shirley then had the opportunity to teach school again.
Shirley was witness to most of the inventions we know today. She spent a lot of time scrubbing clothes on a washboard and said "the washing machine was the best invention ever made!" Shirley had a sense of humor and much wisdom through her lifetime.
She enjoyed playing bridge and pinochle, bowling and making lefse.
Shirley is survived by her children, Marlys Knight of Watertown, SD and Bill (Gloria) Jacobson of Albuquerque, NM; 7 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; 17 great-great grandchildren; and 5 great-great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Helen; her husband, Sherman Jacobson; her daughter, Mary Palsma; her grandson, Michael Knight; two sisters; and five brothers.
Arrangements by Wight Comes Funeral Chapel-www.wightandcomes.com