Mary Rita Jacobsen

MARY RITA JACOBSEN, 85  of Belvidere, died Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, after a brief illness. Born March 1922, in Kimball, South Dakota, she was the daughter of Frank and Adelaide (McGonigle) Ryan.  She was deeply loved by both  her family and her many nieces and nephews.  We will miss her greatly. 

Visitation will be Wednesday March 5, 2008, from 3:00 PM to 7:30 PM with a Rosary at 7:30 PM.   The Funeral will be across the Street at St. James Parish in Belvidere at 11:00 AM.  Burial will be at Arlington Cemetery on Charles Street in Rockford.  After which,  Fellowship and Food will follow at her St. James Parish. 

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Mary Rita Jacobsen MARY RITA JACOBSEN, 85 
MARY RITA JACOBSEN, 85

BELVIDERE --Mary Rita Jacobsen, of Belvidere, IL died peacefully on Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, surrounded by her family after a brief illness at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center.  She was born March 27, 1922 in Kimball, S.D., the daughter of Frank and Adelaide (McGonigle) Ryan.  She graduated from Kimball H.S. in 1940;  she then moved to Belvidere to live with relatives, and was first employed with the National Sewing Machine Co.  In 1943 she enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a member of the newly formed WAVES. 
    After WW II, she married Bjarne J. Jacobsen.  The newly returned veterans married in Rockford, IL on July 4, 1946.  Every Independence Day they hosted a huge celebration that honored the union of the states, and their marriage.  In addition to being a wonderful wife and mother and raising a family, Mary Rita was employed at National Lock, Sundstrand Aviation and at NIU from which she retired after 22 years serving as business manager for WNIU-WNIJ, public radio stations.  After her retirement, she also served on the Board of Advisors for WNIU-WNIJ for many years. 
    She was a delegate to the United Nations in New York for the 1975 International Year of the Woman, disarmament seminar.  Over the years she was involved in many community organizations, including the Belvidere Woman’s Club (currently the president), Boone County Democratic Party, Boone County Historical Society, and Red Hat Society.  Mary Rita was very involved with many aspects of  St. James Catholic Church and her faith.  

She is survived by her husband Bjarne; daughters Patricia Daugherty of Aurora and Teresa Jacobsen of Sycamore; sons Bruce (LeeAnn) Jacobsen of Machesney Park, Steven (Susan) Jacobsen  of  O’Fallon, MO; Neal (Jennifer) Jacobsen of Vernon Hills and Brent Jacobsen of Belvidere; grandchildren Steven L. Jacobsen, Gina (Tom) Owens, Jennie Jacobsen, Josie Kramer and Lara Jacobsen; great-grandchildren Caitlin, Austin, Tommy and Casey.  Predeceased by  her parents; brothers Jack, Bill, Jim and Neal Ryan; sister Ruth Smith; Two infant siblings who died at birth, Catherine and Richard

Visitation from 3-7:30 PM and rosary at 7:30 PM March 5 in Belvidere Funeral Home, 203 Logan Ave.  Funeral mass at  11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 6 at St. James Catholic Church, 514 Caswell Street, Belvidere, with Father Andrew Hogan officiating.  Burial in Arlington Cemetery, Rockford. 

 

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