Obituary of Marlene Marie Jacobs

Marlene Marie Jacobs 86, died Friday, November 15, 2024, at St. Teresa of Woodbury Senior Living of Woodbury, Minnesota.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church, 112 North 4th Street, Clear Lake, Iowa, 50428. Inurnment will take place at Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme, Iowa. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Minnesota Orchestra in Marlene’s memory.

Marlene Marie Jacobs was born on December 3, 1937, in Britt, Iowa to Walter Clarence and Christina Mae (Neuberger) Blumer. She graduated from Klemme High School in 1955 and attended Iowa State Teachers College, graduating with a two-year teaching certificate. Shortly thereafter she married her high school sweetheart, Cecil, and was a devoted wife to him for 64 years.

Marlene taught in Xenia, Ohio and after her youngest son was in school, went back and finished her four-year degree at River Falls University. She held many teaching positions including teaching English as a Second Language at 3M company. In her later working years, Marlene enjoyed learning the cultural aspects of her ESL students and helping families new to the US navigate daily life. After retirement, Marlene and Cecil visited many of her former students overseas. In addition, she spent many years volunteering at Woodbury Methodist Church and her children’s schools.

In retirement, Marlene and Cecil embraced their shared love for travel, journeying across the country in their RV to visit friends, family, and explore new places. When not traveling, they enjoyed playing bridge with friends and attending Minnesota Orchestra concerts. Marlene, an avid reader, also treasured time spent with her grandchildren. She will be remembered for her unwavering devotion to family and her passion for learning, music, and meaningful connections.

Marlene was preceded in death by her husband Cecil; her parents, Walter and Mae Blumer; mother and father-in-law Roy and Phildred Jacobs; sister Margie (Ray) Wille; brothers Leo (Dixie), Ivan (Bonnie), and Glenn (Darlene); brother-in-law Don Maurice; and sister-in-law, JoAnne Gentle.

Marlene is survived by her children, daughter Chris, sons Daniel (JoEllen) and Peter (Shalini); sister Mary Ann (Luverne) Schmidt, sisters-in-law JoAnn Jacobs, Kay (Ron) Karsjens; brother-in-law, Mike (Trish) Jacobs; grandchildren, Matthew (Megan) and Nicholas (Ashley); great-grandchildren, Graham & Charlotte; as well as many other loving family and friends.