Leslie Jacobson's Obituary
LESLIE “LES” B. JACOBSON
KING, WISCONSIN
FORMERLY OF MANITOWISH WATERS, WISCONSIN Leslie Jacobson, a man of Norwegian descent and upbringing, was born in Chetek and grew up on the family farm in Scandinavia, Wisconsin. In the late 1930s he sold a crop of potatos and used the money to buy passage to Alaska to seek his fortune. He obtained employment helping build the Alaska Railroad. In October 1941 he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and was soon posted aboard the USS Wakefield, a US Army transport ship which delivered troops and supplies to the Pacific theatre. He rose to the rank of Carpenters Mate 1st Class and served as Ship's Director. He was an active member of Mercer American Legion Post 424 and Mercer VFW Post 9536. Until this year, Les marched every Memorial Day and 4th of July. His last day was at the Wisconsin Veteran's Home. While in the service, Les met Eleanor Tellefsen of Staten Island, NY. They wed on August 7, 1942 in New York. After the war, they raised their children in Manitowish Waters, WI. He was a carpenter contractor and well-respected builder. In his youth, Les was a ski jumper and member of the New London Ski Club and traveled extensively for competitions, winning many. Les' Club Sweater is on display in the National Ski Jumping Hall of Fame. While in Alaska, he won the ski jump competition at the 1939 Alaskan Rendezvous. Les and Eleanor stressed to their children and grandchildren their belief in the importance of family, education, and a strong work ethic. Les had a great love for the environment and worked tirelessly as a caretaker to preserve the earth for future generations. For over 30 years Les worked with local, national and international groups to preserve the sturgeon in the Manitowish River and was a member of two organizations dedicated to helping the river and sturgeon, Friends of the Manitowish River and Sturgeon for Tomorrow. Les was a charter member of the Norlandet Lodge 5-620 of the Sons of Norway, a Deacon of Manitowish Waters Community Presbyterian Church and had served as a volunteer firefighter for many years. Les also wrote poetry and for many years had been working on documenting his family's history. He is survived by his sister, Margaret Matson of Waupaca; children, Roy (Judith) Jacobson, Judith (Eduardo) Paz and Lois (John) Egelhof; grandchildren, Eric (Sherre) Jacobson, Edward (Pamela) Paz, Robert (Susan) Paz, David Paz, Katherine Egelhof, Jessica Egelhof, Anders Corbett, Carl Corbett and Jack Corbett; and great grandchildren Kathryn Paz and Alexander Paz. Les was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Eleanor Tellefsen; daughter, Cathy Jacobson; parents, Louis Bernard and Inga Caroline (Alm) Jacobson; sister, Thelma Pauline; and three brothers, James, Arden and Russell Jacobson. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, July 20, 2007 at 11:00 AM at the Manitowish Waters Community Presbyterian Church in Manitowish Waters, WI. Reverend Chips Paulson will officiate. A visitation will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 AM on Friday at the church. Burial will be at Pinelawn Cemetery in the Town of Manitowish Waters following the services on Friday. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Sturgeons for Tomorrow or the Manitowish Waters Community Presbyterian Church. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements. HOLLY FUNERAL HOME
526 S. Main Street
Waupaca, WI 54981
www.hollyfuneralhome.com
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