1940
Paul
2024
Paul Jacobson
October 23, 1940 — July 30, 2024
Paul V. Jacobson (October 23, 1940-July 30, 2024)
Paul Vilas Jacobson, 83, of Coon Valley, La Farge, and most recently Eau Claire, Wisconsin, passed away at Dove Healthcare West on July 30, 2024. He is survived by his wife, Beverly (Ruud), and his children, Kurt (son), Karen (De Mars, daughter-in-law), and Kristin (daughter). Paul and Bev recently moved from La Farge to Eau Claire to be closer to Kurt, Karen, and their pups, Mogie and Kona.
Born in Chaseburg and raised in Coon Valley, Paul was the baby brother of Otis, Elaine (Dalsasso), and Mabel (Guillien), who all preceded him in death. He was a favorite uncle to their children, who remember him playing guitar during visits and looking dashing in his military uniform. During his youth Paul and his parents, Eleanora (Olstad) and Martin, lived above Kerska’s grocery store in Coon Valley. He was best friends with Robert Kerska. Paul attended Westby High School (class of 1958) and started at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse before joining the Marines (1960-64). He returned to UW-La Crosse to complete his bachelor’s degree (class of 1967) and later a master’s degree (class of 1970).
Paul taught in Wauwatosa before moving to La Farge with his family to teach special education. At La Farge he also served as the elementary principal, high school principal, and school superintendent. He retired in 1998. His accomplishments include a 30-year award for dedication and service to public education and overseeing an addition to La Farge schools in 1996.
Students and colleagues remember Paul as a caring administrator who found the good in the so-called bad students. Sometimes the best discipline was to buy a troubled student (or staff member) a bottle of soda. Paul was proud to work with his La Farge faculty, staff, board members, and students. A favorite recent memory was the going away party the CROWS (former staff) held in his honor.
Upon retirement, Paul golfed and focused on his woodcarving. He loved to share his carvings with family and friends. He read a lot. In retirement, he and his wife visited their children frequently to work on projects, help them move, and travel together.
Paul’s family and friends dearly feel his absence. Paul and Bev were married on August 3, 1968. He especially enjoyed camping and fishing trips with his sister-in-law’s family, Sandy and Dale Young, and gatherings at his in-law’s farm (Melvin and Doris Ruud) with the family of his late brother-in-law, Don Ruud (Donna). He unfailingly ended family conversations with “I love you.” We love you, too.
The family thanks the Dove Healthcare West and Mayo Hospice staff for their care.
Per Paul’s wishes, no service will be held. Go golfing. Carve something. Do something you love with someone you love. Donations in Paul’s memory may be made to La Farge Schools, 301 West Adams Street, La Farge, WI 54639 (designation, Paul Jacobson Memorial Scholarship).
Paul Vilas Jacobson, 83, of Coon Valley, La Farge, and most recently Eau Claire, Wisconsin, passed away at Dove Healthcare West on July 30, 2024. He is survived by his wife, Beverly (Ruud), and his children, Kurt (son), Karen (De Mars, daughter-in-law), and Kristin (daughter). Paul and Bev recently moved from La Farge to Eau Claire to be closer to Kurt, Karen, and their pups, Mogie and Kona.
Born in Chaseburg and raised in Coon Valley, Paul was the baby brother of Otis, Elaine (Dalsasso), and Mabel (Guillien), who all preceded him in death. He was a favorite uncle to their children, who remember him playing guitar during visits and looking dashing in his military uniform. During his youth Paul and his parents, Eleanora (Olstad) and Martin, lived above Kerska’s grocery store in Coon Valley. He was best friends with Robert Kerska. Paul attended Westby High School (class of 1958) and started at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse before joining the Marines (1960-64). He returned to UW-La Crosse to complete his bachelor’s degree (class of 1967) and later a master’s degree (class of 1970).
Paul taught in Wauwatosa before moving to La Farge with his family to teach special education. At La Farge he also served as the elementary principal, high school principal, and school superintendent. He retired in 1998. His accomplishments include a 30-year award for dedication and service to public education and overseeing an addition to La Farge schools in 1996.
Students and colleagues remember Paul as a caring administrator who found the good in the so-called bad students. Sometimes the best discipline was to buy a troubled student (or staff member) a bottle of soda. Paul was proud to work with his La Farge faculty, staff, board members, and students. A favorite recent memory was the going away party the CROWS (former staff) held in his honor.
Upon retirement, Paul golfed and focused on his woodcarving. He loved to share his carvings with family and friends. He read a lot. In retirement, he and his wife visited their children frequently to work on projects, help them move, and travel together.
Paul’s family and friends dearly feel his absence. Paul and Bev were married on August 3, 1968. He especially enjoyed camping and fishing trips with his sister-in-law’s family, Sandy and Dale Young, and gatherings at his in-law’s farm (Melvin and Doris Ruud) with the family of his late brother-in-law, Don Ruud (Donna). He unfailingly ended family conversations with “I love you.” We love you, too.
The family thanks the Dove Healthcare West and Mayo Hospice staff for their care.
Per Paul’s wishes, no service will be held. Go golfing. Carve something. Do something you love with someone you love. Donations in Paul’s memory may be made to La Farge Schools, 301 West Adams Street, La Farge, WI 54639 (designation, Paul Jacobson Memorial Scholarship).
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Paul Jacobson, please visit our flower store.
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