Eleanore M. (Nilles) Jacobsen

MONONA - Eleanore M. (Nilles) Jacobsen passed away after a long, full life on March 26, 2013. She was born at home in Two Rivers, Wisconsin to Henry and Nellie (O’Connell) Nilles. She graduated second in her class from Washington High School in Two Rivers and worked as a secretary at Hamilton’s and the Manitowoc Shipyards before moving to Madison in 1945 where she took an office position at a dental supply company. Eleanore married Orwin Gerald Jacobsen on April 3, 1948. They built a house in Monona and moved there in 1949. Eleanore taught piano lessons for several years. She then worked as a checker for Sentry Foods (Metcalfe’s) for 25 years and retired in 1992. After retirement, Eleanore volunteered three days a week in kindergarten and third grade reading classes at Glendale School in Madison until 2001, then continued with the reading classes until 2008. She also volunteered almost every week at Olbrich Gardens Visitors Center until November 2012 with 2,000 hours of service. Eleanore and Orwin were among the earlier members of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, and she was very involved in the St. Anne’s Society for many years. She served two terms as president and was treasurer for 27 years. Eleanore enjoyed sewing and made many of her young daughters’ clothes. She then turned her creative talents to crocheting and made afghans for her children, their spouses, and grandchildren. Eleanore devoted many years to raising her children. After her husband Orwin passed away in 1971, she raised their five children who were still at home. Eleanore was an independent, spirited woman who loved her children and grandchildren, gardening, dark chocolate, her big backyard, bird watching, reading and crossword puzzles. She enjoyed traveling and visited Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Jamaica and many states including Hawaii and Alaska. Eleanore also enjoyed camping and hiking for over 40 years. She will be missed by her eight children, Chris of Stoughton, Ellen (Dan Howard) of Florida, Vicki Jacobsen Klump (Gerald) of Middleton, Patricia (Alan Gurevich) of Seattle, Wash., David Pierce Jacobsen (Susan) of Sun Prairie; Paul (Shawn) of Dallas, Ore.; James of Monona; and Dean of Muskego. She will also be missed by her eleven grandchildren, Vanessa Taylor, Derek Pickard, Jamie and Melanie Klump, Kerry Hall, Elizabeth and Wolfgang Jacobsen, Jack Pierce Jacobsen, Madison and Logan Jacobsen, and Kaitlyn Jacobsen; and two great-grandchildren. Eleanore is survived by her brother, Dr. John (Bev) Nilles; brother-in-law, Daniel Scherer; sister-in-law, Helen Jacobsen; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Orwin; two children, Lee Andrew and Baby Jacobsen; grandchild, Jarred Jacobsen; her parents; two sisters, Marie Clark and Dorothy Scherer; her brother, Hubert Nilles; and son-in-law, Al Hall. Memorials can be made to St. Stephen’s Food Pantry in Monona, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, and Olbrich Gardens. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 2, 2013, with Father Bart Timmerman presiding. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, April 1, 2013, and also at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of Mass on Tuesday. The family would like to thank Diane from St. Mary’s Hospital and the staff at Agrace HospiceCare for their care of their mother. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, April 1, 2013, and also at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of Mass on Tuesday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 2, 2013, with Father Bart Timmerman presiding.