LaVonne M. Jacobson, of Rochester, Minn., passed away on her 71st birthday, September 29, 2022, surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer.
LaVonne Marlene (Berge) Jacobson was born in Lanesboro, Minn., on September 29, 1951, to parents, Bennett and Jeanette (Crowson) Berge. After graduating from Lanesboro High School in 1969, she earned an Associate’s in Graphic Design from Rochester Community College (1996) and her Bachelor of Science in Management from Cardinal Stritch University (2010). She proudly retired from Mayo Clinic as a Senior Digital Production Specialist in 2017 after 20 years of service. Here, she was a trusted coworker, mentor, and friend to many.
She married the love her life, James Jacobson, on September 10, 1971, in Hayfield, Minn., after meeting on a blind date in 1969. LaVonne was an active member of the Hayfield community while raising her three children. She enjoyed baking, decorating cakes, sewing, knitting, playing Scrabble, hosting coffee parties, spending time with family, and attending concerts. Nothing brought her more joy, however, than her nine grandchildren. She called them the “light of her life.” She spoiled her grandchildren with undivided attention, love, and homemade slime and playdough. Nothing brought LaVonne more happiness than being a mother and grandmother.
LaVonne is survived by her husband Jim, her children Aaron (Molly) Jacobson of Onalaska, Wis., Tyler (Nina) Jacobson of Baraboo, Wis., and Corinn (Mike) Leidholm of Blaine, Minn.; her grandchildren Nick, Natalie, Emmy, Bennett, Isla, Everett, Mila, Evan and Ryan; her mother Jeanette of Stewartville, Minn., siblings Lynn Del (Jerry) Reimann of New Leipzig, N. Dak., Lonny (Linda) Berge, of Chatfield, Minn., Kady Hoff of Rochester, Minn., Lowell (Vicki) Berge of Dodge Center, Minn., and Loren (Lois) Berge, of Whalan, Minn.; and several other cherished family members and close friends.
She is preceded in death by her father Bennett Berge, mother-in-law Marjorie Jacobson, father-in-law Orville Jacobson, sister-in-law Darcy Jacobson, brother-in-law Roger Jacobson, and her infant son.
A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at First Presbyterian Church, 512 3rd St. SW, Rochester, Minn. Visitation will be 4–7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Pl. NW, Rochester, Minn., and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Hayfield, Minn.
Memorials may be directed to the family or Mayo Clinic by visiting philanthropy.mayoclinic.org.
As Corinn, LaVonne’s beloved daughter wrote, “She was born on this day and now we will celebrate her passing on this day-like bookends supporting a very special story in between.”
Ranfranz and Vine is honored to be serving the Jacobson family; to share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.