Thorleif Wayne Jacobson Jr.

MADISON-Thorleif Wayne Jacobson, age 88, of Madison, passed away on Monday, Feb. 13, 2017, as he had hoped, at his home surrounded by his wife and children. He was born in Madison on July 3, 1928, the son of Thorleif and Jovie (Soiney) Jacobson. Known for most of his life as Wayne, but always proud of his Norwegian heritage, he recently began leveraging the "cool factor" of his given name, Thor, with the many caregivers, nurses, and doctors that took care of him. Never one to shy away from attention, once he had you, Thor would do his best to make you laugh and feel special. It was quite a gift and always fun to experience. At age 14, Wayne began working as a meat cutter with his father at the Jacobson Meats market on North Street. A working man has to eat, so in addition to the good food served in those days at Brown's Restaurant, Wayne had eyes for a young waitress named Helen. There starts the story of the beautiful life the two of them would build together. Wayne married Helen Everett on March 25, 1950, and were together in love for nearly 67 years. They were blessed with and nurtured five children. In addition to food and shelter, Wayne provided his family with a stable foundation of faith, love, generosity, humor, kindness, music and wit. He was a supportive, selfless and stabilizing father figure who shared his unconditional love with many. Wayne worked long and hard to provide for his family. He enjoyed working as a butcher with his dad and brother Stan at the Jacobson slaughterhouse, adjacent to the family farm where he was raised. He was loyal to the customers who "traded" at their Williamson Street market, even 40 years later. He was a mindful craftsman before mindfulness was hip and the go-to man to hone the edge of a dull knife. In Sun Prairie, he ran the meat counter at Schwebs Foods and proudly worked for 16 years in facility services for Sun Prairie public schools. In retirement, he worked with his great nephews at Jacobson Bros. Meats and, with Helen, worked for SprintPrint and MOC. Wayne loved all children, and was a true friend and family man; he was always the first to say hello, generous with his smiles and humor. He loved playing cards, adept at Euchre and at skunking unwary contenders in Cribbage. Wayne shared his love for music in many ways. He, Helen and friends spent many happy hours dancing. A founding member of The Prairie Men, Sun Prairie's S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A Barbershop Chapter, in 1963, he also lent his beautiful baritone voice to the Madison Capitol Chordsmen. When singing was not appropriate, he'd grace those around him with his whistling. Wayne was a proud Life member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and a founding member of the RMEF Des Plaines River Chapter. He supported several conservation organizations, including Ducks Unlimited, Whitetails Unlimited, and The Nature Conservancy. Wayne was also a past member of the Sun Prairie Rotary Club. Thor is survived by wife Helen; his children, Donna (Scott) Lewein, Tim (Peggy) Jacobson, Ann (John) Mesich, Janelle Jacobson and Janeane (Jerry) Brockman; grandchildren, Alex (Laura) Lewein, Shelby (Tyler) Erickson, Christian Jacobson, Andrea Jacobson, Jovie Mesich and Tre Mesich; great-grandchild, Maya Lewein; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Haarklau; brother-in-law, Arnold Everett; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Marcella Thomas, Clarence, Grant, Olin, Stanley and James; and in-laws. Funeral services will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, and from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. We are profoundly grateful to the staff of Agrace HospiceCare. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Agrace HospiceCare or RMEF at https://jrd.rmef.org/howtohelp/memorialsandhonorarium. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. His story continues... Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420