Henry H. Jacobson, 90
Henry H. Jacobson, 90, passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 4, 2007, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell. He was born April 22, 1916, at Oak Grove, N.D. (which is one mile west of Horace), the son of Hans Peder and Karen (Lien) Jacobson. Henry had a twin brother, Alvin.
They moved to Montana with their family and settled near Scobey to homestead. After their mother passed away in 1918, they went to live with a great-aunt in Fargo, N.D., until they were 8 years old, when they moved back to Flaxville with their father and new mother, Beulah. The twins first came to the Flathead Valley in 1932 with the Civilian Conservation Corps. He was stationed up the South Fork and later in a spur camp in Coram. In 1939, they followed their sister, Emily, to Chicago until Alvin was drafted in 1941. Henry joined the Army in 1942 to serve in World War II, and after many requests and lots of red tape, they were stationed together in the European theater. They seldom were separated during their lifetimes. They were captured together and endured as POWs in Stalag 13, arriving there on Christmas Eve 1943. They were transported across Germany by marching and train to Bonn, Wurzburg, Zell and Regensburg. They were rescued eight days before the war ended.
Henry moved back to Kalispell, where he met and married Agnes Emeheiser in 1947. They raised their family on Conrad Drive, separated by only six homes from Alvin and his wife, Marge.
He was a mechanic for the Buick garage, and the parts manager for Stedje Bros. and then Day Equipment until his retirement in 1981. He enjoyed growing his incredible flowers until entering Immanuel Lutheran Home in 2005. He enjoyed listening to jazz and was a member of the Flathead Jazz Society. On Friday nights he could often be found at the Bigfork Inn, listening and dancing to his favorite tunes.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Agnes, in 1990; his sisters, Emily, Doty and Myrtle; and his twin, Alvin.
He is survived by his children, Cindy Gonser and husband, Jim; Lynn Jacobson, Curt Jacobson and wife, Jennie, all of Kalispell, and Neil Jacobson and wife, Bonnie, of Lakeside; four grandchildren, Dana Gonser of Fowler, Ind., Christie Mauroni of Corvallis, Ore., Megan and Bobbi Jacobson of Missoula; and two great-grandchildren, Ember and Hailey Gonser, of Fowler, Ind.; brother, Howard Jacobson, and wife, Maurine; sisters, Maymie Robishon and husband, Jim, Evelyn Lohn and husband, Vic, Florence Jacobson and Beverly Watts, all of Kalispell.
Funeral services for Henry will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 9, at Johnson Mortuary chapel, with Pastor Debra Koch officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 7, at Johnson Mortuary. Burial will be after services at C.E Conrad Memorial Cemetery, with full military honors conducted by the United Veterans of the Flathead.
The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to the Immanuel Lutheran Home, 185 Crestline Ave., Kalispell, MT 59901, or to the charity of the donor's choice.
Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Henry's family.