Alice J. Jacobson

Alice Joyce (LaFave) Jacobson, 86, died peacefully at her home at Legends of Capital Ridge, Topeka, Kansas on Wednesday evening, June 28, 2023.

Alice was born to Edward and Magdalene “Lena” (Dorsher) LaFave in East Grand Forks, MN on March 20, 1937. One of thirteen LaFave children, she grew up in East Grand Forks and attended school at Sacred Heart.

Alice married her high school sweetheart, Morris Jacobson of Grand Forks, ND. Together, they raised five children, living in several places during Morris’ military service, most notably California and Germany, before retiring from the military and returning to the Grand Forks area.

Morris passed away a short time later, and Alice continued to live in Grand Forks and raise her three remaining children at home as a single parent. Alice was a hard worker and over the years worked for the Grand Forks Country Club, Ramada Inn, Bonanza, and C&R laundry. She was a member of Augustana Lutheran Church.

After her children were grown, Alice lived in Ada, MN with her partner of many years, Arnold "Grandpa Arnold" Gunderson, and in Omaha, NE before moving to Topeka, KS in 2019. Alice enjoyed music, dancing, baking, embroidery, and spending time with loved ones.

She is survived by her children, Debra (Bruce) Wetzel, Wakarusa, KS, Cynthia (Michael) Morrison of Spokane, WA, Todd (Karen) Jacobson, King of Prussia, PA, Lolita (Kevin) Driscoll, Shakopee, MN, Becky (Larry) Dimmitt, Fairfield, IA, 17 grandchildren, many great grandchildren, and one sister, Darlene (Kernen) Lien of Kelso, WA.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Morris Jacobson, daughter-in-law, Karen (Jones) Jacobson, and 11 siblings.

A memorial service was be held Monday, July 3, 2023 at VanArsdale Funeral Home in Osage, City, Kansas.

A graveside service and burial will be at Memorial Park North Cemetery, Grand Forks, North Dakota 10:00 AM Friday, July 14, 2023. 

 Memorial contributions may be made to either American Heart Association or Alzheimer’s Association.