Francella Jacobsen, 94

Francella "Fran" Jacobsen, 94, passed away on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, at home in Kalispell, after a long and courageous battle with congestive heart failure. Her son and daughter were at her bedside.

Fran was born Jan. 19, 1929, in Eureka, South Dakota, to Magdalena and Mathias Oster. As a child she moved with her family to Billings, Montana. 

She graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1946, and worked for several years as a secretary for the Bureau of Reclamation. 

On Dec. 30, 1950, she married Gene Jacobsen, and they moved to Kalispell in 1953. 

She was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Billings and in Kalispell, and in more recent years, The Church at Creston (Lutheran). 

She was very happy as a homemaker, and especially enjoyed baking. She loved camping and picnicking with her family. For many years she crafted beautiful egg decorations, modeled loosely on Fabergé's famous creations, using chicken and goose eggs, a Dremel tool, ribbons, pearls, etc.  She was also an avid reader, and was particularly fond of mystery novels set in England. 

She was preceded in death by Gene, her husband of 59 years; her parents; and an infant granddaughter, Alex West.  

She is survived by her son, Tom of Valier, Montana; her daughter, Karen West (husband Rich), of Great Falls; granddaughter, Amanda Manuel (husband Jayden) of Great Falls; and grandson, Sean West of Helena. She is also survived by her brother, Frank Oster of Billings; and several nieces and nephews.

A private burial will precede the service which will be held at noon on Monday, Nov. 13, at The Church at Creston.