Leila (Packard) JACOBSON

PACKARD, JACOBSON, PALS, RUECKERT, VINCENT, GUILLEMETTE, JENISON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/16/2011 at 10:37:12

January 12, 2011
Belmond Independent, Iowa

May 22, 1924 --- December 30, 2010

Leila Jacobson, 86. died December 30, 2010 in Sun City, AZ. A celebration of life was held January 10 at the American Lutheran Church in Sun City. A memorial service will be held in Moorhead, MN at a later date. Leila was born May 22, 1924 to Ned and Julia Packard in Belmond. She was baptized into the Christian faith at Trinity Lutheran on June 9, 1924. She was educated in the public school in Belmond. Following this she graduated from the Lutheran Bible School in Minneapolis, including two years of regular curriculum and a one year mission course in preparation for serving in Madagascar.

Leila was married to Pastor Arvild Jacobson for 63 years, 1 month. Together they took a year of French language study in France in 1954. Following this they spent 17 years as missionaries in Madagascar. When they returned to the states, they served parishes in Hannaford, Arthur and Northwood, ND and Good Shepherd Lutheran and Trinity Lutheran in Moorhead. After retiring in 1988 they lived in Moorhead and later in Sun City where they were members of the American Lutheran Church. Leila was active in the congregation and was a member of the Intercessory Prayer Group. Leila had a passion for making porcelain dolls of which she gave to family and friends. She had the ability to make friends and to be of help to those in need. Many people enjoyed receiving a fresh loaf of French bread which she had made. Leila was also quick to speak a word for Jesus. She was always ready to tell of Jesus’ love to any whom she met. Her legacy was seeing faith and works in action. She was a radiant personality, possessing the fruits and the gifts of a spirit-filled life.

She was preceded in death by her brother Bud Packard; sister Phyllis Pals; daughter Paula Jacobson; and grandson Jeremy Rueckert. Leila is survived by her husband; her children Naomi Vincent of Gwinner, ND, Daniel (Sandy) Jacobson of Cooperstown, ND, Rolf (Rita) Jacobson of Sidney, MT, and Lisa (Mike) Guillemette of Fergus Falls, MN; 10 grand children and 15 great grandchildren; and sister Norma Jeanne (Leland) Jenison of Belmond.