Judy Marie Jacobson, 81

July 23, 1945 - 

September 27, 2026

 

Judy Marie Jacobson, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away Sunday, September 27, 2026 surrounded by her family.

Those who knew Judy knew she lived a virtuous and generous life. She carried herself with grace, dignity, and impeccable ladylike charm right up until her final hour.

Judy was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on July 23, 1945, to Harold “Swede” Eddie Noe and Fern Eloise Noe (Wiggins).

Judy grew up in a farming environment alongside her six siblings: With seven children to lend a hand, Swede and Fern certainly had plenty of help around the farm!

On March 20, 1965, Judy married David “Jake” Jacobson of Ostrander, Minnesota, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Their first son, Kim, was born later that year, followed by their second son, James, four years later.

Judy and David began their married life in Rochester, Minnesota. In 1972, they moved to Cresco, Iowa, where David opened Cresco Tool & Die with his longtime business partner and dear friend, Damon Kintz.

Judy’s full-time career was, in her words and actions, being the best wife and mother she could possibly be. She devoted herself wholeheartedly to David and their two boys and took tremendous pride in her family. After her sons graduated from high school, Judy added another role to her already busy life, becoming the secretary and bookkeeper for the Cresco Tool & Die.

One final role came to Judy after the passing of her mother, Fern. Judy’s father, Swede, bestowed upon her the honorary title of “The General.” From that time forward, Judy became the one the family looked to for leadership, organization, planning, and direction.

If something needed to be done, Judy would make a plan, give the orders, or simply take care of it herself - and, more often than not, she had it handled at least two weeks before it actually needed to be done. Judy did not believe in procrastination. In fact, if you looked up the antonym of “procrastinate” in the dictionary, you would most likely find a picture of Judy.

“The General” was more than just a nickname. It was a reflection of who Judy was: dependable, organized, prepared, and always ready to step up when her family needed her. She took care of people, kept things moving, and somehow always seemed to know what needed to happen next.

Judy was meticulous in everything she did, especially when it came to her bookkeeping. Her attention to detail was legendary. Had the IRS ever decided to audit her records from 40-plus years ago, they most likely would have found not a penny out of place.

Beyond her family and work, Judy generously gave her time, talents, and resources to her community. Throughout the years, she was involved with numerous community organizations, and she and David generously supported countless causes, projects, and organizations - always with the goal of making life a little better for others.

One of Judy’s greatest passions was her faith and her membership at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cresco. Over the years, she served in a variety of board and committee roles and faithfully gave of herself to her church family. She also made sure her two boys were in church every Sunday for years - until, much to her dismay and perhaps to their relief, they left for college.

Judy enjoyed many things in life, including golfing, where she became a one-time Cresco Country Club Women’s Champion and recorded two hole-in-ones; playing a wide variety of card games; entertaining family and friends; and, above all, spending time with her three grandsons.

She didn’t invent the title “Nana,” but she certainly did her best to elevate it to an art form. She treasured every opportunity to be with her grandchildren, creating traditions, sharing laughter, and making the kind of memories that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

For the past 25 years, Judy and David were fortunate to call Rotonda West, Florida, their winter home. During that time, they formed countless friendships with wonderful people from across the country and around the world. They enjoyed life in a welcoming community surrounded by multiple golf courses and filled with fellow retired snowbirds who shared their love of an active and social lifestyle.

Their days were spent on the golf course, while their evenings were filled with dinners, card games, laughter, and time spent with dear friends. They embraced every moment and created so many cherished memories along the way. To say they were blessed would be a true understatement.

Judy will be remembered for her unwavering devotion to her family, her generosity to others, her deep faith, her meticulous nature, her gracious spirit, and her wonderful sense of humor. She had a special way of making everyone around her feel cared for and welcome, and her love for her family was evident in all that she did.

Her life was one of faith, family, service, hard work, laughter, and love. She gave generously, loved deeply, and left an indelible mark on the many lives she touched.

Judy’s greatest legacy will live on in the family she loved so dearly, the faith she shared, the lessons she taught, and the countless memories she created along the way.

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Judy is survived by her husband David Jacobson of Cresco, IA; her son, Kim (Kareen) and grandson David Jacobson of Bedford, TX; her son, James (Laurie) Jacobson and grandsons Anders and Erik of New Britain, PA; her six siblings - older twin sisters Carolyn Eddy of Gillette, Wyoming, and Marolyn Hetrick of Bonham, Texas; younger sisters Jolene Beddow of Brownsdale, Minnesota, and Janice Behnken of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota; and younger brothers Harold Noe (Carolyn) of Cresco, Iowa, and Jarold “Bert” Noe (Joy), whose home on wheels continues wherever their travels take them; and an army of nieces and nephews, cousins, and numerous other family members - more than 100 in all.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents Harold and Fern Noe; her sister Carolyn's husband, Patrick Knofczynski: her sister Marolyn’s husband, Merlynn “Hank” Hetrick; her sister Jolene’s husband, Jack Beddow; and her sister Janice’s husband, Robert “Bob” Behnken.