Theresa Jacobson

With a beautiful smile and a welcoming heart, Theresa Jacobson lived a life rich in faith, family, and friends. Theresa was outgoing and could talk with anyone. She embodied the principles of her faith, modeling the importance of living honestly, staying out of trouble, and being willing to work hard. Even in the face of life’s greatest challenges, Theresa leaned into her faith, embracing each moment and person as a gift to be treasured. Generous, kind, compassionate, and an unwavering source of love, Theresa was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Cherished by many, Theresa will long be remembered and so dearly missed.

Henry and Marguerite (Myers) Pierson welcomed their daughter Theresa to their family on January 24, 1942, in Keeler, Michigan. Born on the family farm, Theresa was the youngest of five. The family’s 72-acre farm was the center of daily life, where Theresa first developed her love of animals and the value of hard work. Pets were always a part of her life, and she especially loved her horse. Along with her older siblings, Ferris, Myra, James, and Carrilou, Theresa attended Country School.

After graduating from Dowagiac High School in 1960, Theresa furthered her education at Ferris Institute in Big Rapids to study business. She was on a scholarship and later had a chance to extend her education from an associate's degree to a bachelor's degree with additional scholarship money and working as a Resident Assistant (RA) at one of the dormitories. With signature hard work and commitment, Theresa graduated from Ferris with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Education.

Not only did Theresa earn her degree at Ferris, she also met Dean Jacobson, a fellow student and her future husband. Dean was kind, sweet, and a bit reserved, while Theresa was outgoing. It took Dean a while to work up the courage to ask her out on their first date, but when he did, she accepted. Dean sent her roses before their first date, which was tobogganing.

On July 4, 1964, Theresa and Dean happily exchanged marriage vows at Holy Family Catholic Church in Decatur, officially beginning their 51-year adventure together. In 1967, the couple was delighted to welcome their first child, Joe, to their family. James, Carrie, Stephen and Gretchen would follow. Tragically, in 1971, James and Carrie would pass away as young children within six months of each other. With the loving support of her family and the strength drawn from her faith, Theresa and Dean found the strength to endure.

In June of 1967, the family moved into a house on West N Ave in Kalamazoo, the place Dean and Theresa would call home for the rest of their lives. As Dean worked the second shift at General Motors, Theresa was in charge of the house. She set fair rules for the kids and expected them to be followed. She taught them the value of hard work at an early age, just as she had learned from her parents living on the farm. A good cook, Theresa made her meals from scratch, never needing a recipe. Everyone enjoyed her homemade spaghetti and meatballs. The home was where the family gathered for get-togethers, celebrations, and holidays. Theresa took great pride in the appearance of her home and gardens, enjoyed working outside, and relished the many sleepovers she hosted with her grandchildren.

In addition to raising her family and managing the home, Theresa taught school at Battle Creek Lakeview, served as a school administrator, and worked for several years in an insurance office. No matter where she worked or what she was doing, Theresa was easy to get along with and had an uncanny ability to put people at ease. She loved people and the gift of good conversations with others.

The very first movie Theresa saw as a child was The Wizard of Oz, which instantly inspired a lifelong love of the film. Over her lifetime, she collected mementos and paraphernalia from the movie, traveled to Wizard of Oz conventions, and formed bonds with others who also deeply loved the movie. It was little surprise to learn that her favorite song was Over the Rainbow, and her favorite saying was, “There is no place like home.”

Theresa was a good, generous neighbor. She often shared fresh fruits or vegetables or picked things up from Costco for them. Theresa also loved day trips. She always had a bag packed, ready to go at a moment’s notice. Though she wasn’t the lightest packer, things were always organized in Zip-lock bags. After Dean died in 2015, Theresa became even more social. She wasn’t one to let grass grow under her feet and was active and social up to the day she died.

Without a doubt, Theresa’s greatest joy was her family. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Whether gathering for a meal, hosting a sleepover, or taking a trip to the zoo, she was a proud mother who adored her grandchildren and cherished every moment they shared.

A woman who loved wholeheartedly and lived fully, Theresa touched, moved, and inspired all who were blessed to know her. As we celebrate her life, may we find much comfort in our many treasured memories and in the honor of carrying her beautiful legacy forward. In each moment we meet the day with faith and hope, welcome a stranger as a friend, share our abundance, cheer on our loved one’s endeavors, and shower others with affection, we keep Theresa’s bright spirit alive and inspiring others as she so inspired each of us.

Theresa died unexpectedly on Friday, May 3, 2024. She is survived by her three children: Joseph (Karen) Jacobson, Stephen (Melissa) Jacobson, and Gretchen (Andrew) Parsons; and eight grandchildren: Andrew (Abigail), Megan (Scott Zychowski), Ryan, Lynnea, Evan and William Jacobson, and Emma and Ainsley Parsons; sibling: Carrilou Gale, sisters in law Carol Pierson, and Donna Pierson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dean, in 2015 and two children, James and Carrie Jacobson, in 1971. Siblings: Ferris Pierson, Myra Melvin, James Pierson, please join us at a Life Story Visitation where stories will be shared on Friday, May 10, 2024, from 5-7 pm at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. Life Story Services will be held at the same location on Saturday at 11 am. Celebrate Theresa’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com.