Bernice M. Jacobsen

Bernice M. Jacobsen, 85 of Dilworth, Minn., died May 30 at her home.

She was born Bernice Margaret Swan on Oct. 13, 1918 in Callaway, Minn., to John and Sophia (St. Clair) Swan. She grew up in White Earth where she attended school at the White Earth Mission School. She later attended a women’s college in Hastings, Kan.

She moved back to Minnesota after attending college and worked at Round Lake as a housekeeper.

She married Walter Jacobsen at Snohomish, Wash., in 1942. They moved to Bainbridge Island, and she worked as a cook on the state ferries for 28 years.

Bernice and Walter were honored when the home they shared on Bainbridge was placed on the island’s Historical Register. In 1974, they returned to the Strawberry Lake area in rural Ogema, Minn.

Walter died in 1982, and Bernice moved to Dilworth in 1988.

She was a past member of the Detroit Lakes VFW Auxiliary and was a Bronze Star Mother. She enjoyed square dancing, spending time with her family, gardening, playing bingo and playing cards.

She is survived by two daughters, Beverly (Larry) Power of Tacoma, and Sharon (Paat) Kennelly of Detroit Lakes, Minn.; sons Herb Jacobsen of Baldwin, Mich., and David Jacobsen; and seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter, in 1982; one son, Ken Jacobsen in 1967, during the Vietnam era; her grandson, Gabe; one sister, Grace Roberts; and five brothers, Lewis, Lawrence, Maynard, James, and Richard.

A gathering will be held June 5 at the Kennelly residence near Detroit Lakes, Minn. Interment is at the Strawberry Lake Mennonite Cemetery. Arrangements are by David-Donehower Funeral Home of Detroit Lakes.