Marlys Jacobsen

Marlys Mary (Martz) Jacobsen, age 86, went home to be with Jesus and her Mama, Daddy, and family on November 2, 2020. She was born on November 11, 1933 to Casper and (Emma) Marguerite (Copelan) Martz in Calvin, North Dakota.

Marlys graduated from Calvin High School (a year early) and attended Aakers Business College in Grand Forks, ND. She earned an Associate Degree and went on to work at a bank. Marlys met her future husband at a barn dance and it was love at first sight. She married Carl Jacobsen on November 18, 1951 in her parent’s home in Cando, and began their life on the Jacobsen farmstead northwest of RockLake where they raised 4 children.

Life on the farm was a little different when they first started out. With no telephones, inviting the neighbors over meant flashing their yard light at 9pm for the invite, and the neighbors flashing back to accept the invitation.  They would play cards until midnight! 

Marlys was a wife, a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was not a farmer’s wife…she was a farmer. She would rival Martha Stewart as a hostess and loved to entertain her friends and family. She was an excellent cook, baker and homemaker, and her pies were famous throughout several counties. She was an excellent seamstress, master gardener and canner over the years. And so much more.

Marlys was a member of All Nations Lutheran Church and their LWML, she was the secretary of the Towner County Farmers Union for many years, a member of the Rock Lake Homemakers Club and was an active member of many organizations and served on several boards.

She loved to play games and was a veteran cribbage player, playing with Carl daily.  She got a lot of joy out of teaching her kids and grandkids how to play. Her favorite past times included camping, snowmobiling, square dancing, going to musicals and quilting.  And she dearly loved to attend her children and grandchildren’s school events and activities.

Marlys was a mighty warrior. She beat cancer THREE times - with the most recent at age 86, even after doctors had told her it wasn’t possible. Her most recent cancer battle was long and hard. She fought it without complaint and with the loving kindness, compassion, and professionalism of the Grand Forks Altru Cancer Center staff. They truly became her family. She was victorious over cancer and then Covid was cruel enough to take her.

Marlys is survived by her husband of 68 years, 92 year old Carl Jacobsen, daughters Laurel Lashuay, Deana Heisler (Doyle), Leana Wilson (Dennis), and son Myron Jacobsen (Robyn); her sisters June Farbo (Dennis) and Emilee Walker; grandchildren – Shaylee Biedzrycki, Angela Walton, Anthony Lashuay and Teresa Lashuay; Allie Heisler and Taylor Heisler; Chasity Ranzino, Kelly Smith and Brian Wilson; Nicole Evenson, Alex Jacobsen, and Brenna Jacobsen, and 17 great grandchildren. She was proceeded in death by her parents, her brothers Howard, Dale and Kenny and sisters Loretta and Delores.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private funeral service will take place at 9:30 am at University Lutheran Church in Grand Forks on Friday morning. The service will be live streamed via Facebook Group Marlys (Martz) Jacobsen Funeral. Burial services will be open to the public, and will be at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, November 6 at All Nations Lutheran Cemetery. The public is welcome to join the family for lunch at the All Nations Lutheran Church following the graveside services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marlys’ honor to the Rock Lake Ambulance, All Nations Cemetery, University Lutheran Church or the NDFU Foundation.