Patricia Jacobson

MADISON-Patricia R. Jacobson slipped away in her sleep on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014, at her residence in Madison. She had just turned 89. She was born on Jan. 7, 1925, in Wauwatosa to Frank and Pauline Rumpel. Patricia graduated from Wauwatosa High School, attended Valparaiso University and ultimately earned her BSS degree and met her husband at UW-Madison. She married Anton “Tony” Jacobson, Jr. of Menomonie on June19, 1949, and made Madison their home, where they raised their four children. They were members of Bethel Lutheran Church. Patricia’s passions included literature, learning, art, music, opera, ballet, storytelling, and cats. At home, she was often found reading or knitting with a cat on her lap. Her love of literature drew her Madison Public Library where she worked as a page in the early ‘60s, sparking her journey to earning her master’s degree in library science. After working at several Madison locations, she was appointed as librarian of Hawthorne Branch Library, which she adored, retiring after 25 years in 1990. Up to the very end, she was correcting the English of her aides. Impressive! Patricia also enthusiastically threw herself into volunteer work. She was a docent at Wisconsin State Historical Society as well as at Meriter Hospital in Madison, where all of her children had been born. Her specialty was knitting hats for newborns. She knit thousands of hats, creating design after design. Patricia is survived by her adult children, Peter Jacobson of Tuscan, Ariz., Julianne Andrewski (Stephen) of Shelton, Wash., Jeannine Lucas (Barry) of Seattle, Wash., and Paul (Pam) Jacobson of Wauwatosa. She has six grandchildren, Jonathan, Hope, Natalie, Erica, Teddy and Tessa. She is also survived by her brothers, William Rumpel of Littleton, Colo., and Nan Sievert of Madison; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Anton; and her parents. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, at Noon on Monday, Feb. 17, 2014. Interment will follow the service at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Dr. (608) 221-5420