James Jacobs

James L. Jacobs, 95 of St. Peter, passed away at Ecumen Prairie Hill Thursday, August 25, 2016.   Memorial service is 11:00 am Wednesday, August 31, 2016 at First Lutheran Church in St. Peter.  St. Peter Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.   Jim was born on June 6, 1921 in Plainview, MN to Rudolph and Minnie (Olson) Jacobs. He was raised on a farm in Plainview, MN and after high school attended the University of Minnesota receiving his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. On August 23, 1943 he was united in marriage to Grace M. Thorkelson in Fertile, MN. They lived 2 ½ years at Crane Naval Base in Indiana where he served as a Lieutenant during WWII before moving to St. Louis to work for Monsanto Chemicals.  Missing Minnesota, they returned to Fertile where Jim owned with Grace’s father, the Thorkelson & Jacobs Car and Implement Dealership. While in Fertile, he was active with the Lions Club and was elected to the local School Board where he served as President. This led to a fulltime position with the Minnesota School Boards Association in 1966 and a move to St. Peter. He was employed there until his retirement in 1987. He then worked for Cadre Financial Services for eleven years.  He was active at First Lutheran Church in St. Peter, the Lions Club, Shoreland Country Club, was a member of the American Legion, and a charter member of the St. Peter Stock Club. Jim enjoyed being around people, traveling, cars, golfing, playing cards, gardening, morning coffee group, and especially spending time with his family.    Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 73 years, Grace; children: Kathy Morton of Rochester MN, Steve (Bev) of Cold Spring MN, Joan (David) Bowles of Marshalltown IA, Jill (Dennis) Conlon of Janesville MN, and David of Becker, MN; Grandchildren: Kelly, Brad, Matthew, Sara, Brian, Peter, Jon, Gina, Krista, Andrew and Benjamin; 9 great grandchildren and other relatives and friends.   The family wishes to extend sincere appreciation to the wonderful staff at Ecumen Prairie Hill.  Memorials are preferred to the St. Peter Lions Club.