Obituary of Ruth Anna Jacobson

Ruth Anna Jacobson, 100, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2018, in Lacey, Washington.  She was born on March 19, 1918, in Seattle, Washington, to Signe and Carl Hanson.

Ruth lived a life of principle in action. She was a friend and mentor over the years to family, students, and colleagues. She trained as a nurse at Tacoma General Hospital, and taught licensed practical nursing for many years at Tacoma Vocational Institute, Moses Lake Community College, and in the Dallas Community College system. She continued her nursing career during six years in Liberia with the Peace Corps and Lutheran mission hospitals, and upon returning to Washington served as the executive secretary of the Licensed Practical Nursing Division, Department of Licensing (now the State Department of Health) until her retirement. This is just a brief summary of the many events and activities in her long life.

Ruth was a devout Christian and was a true model for how to live those beliefs. Her frequent saying in difficult times, “This too shall pass,” reminds us that our grief at losing her will lessen but our memories of her kindness, moral courage, and ready love will continue to echo in all the many lives she touched.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 74 years, Harold Jacobson. She leaves behind her daughters, Judith Yarrow (husband, Kit Dieffenbach) and Vikki Renneckar (husband, Gill); three grandsons; five great grandchildren; a sister and brother; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A memorial service will be held for her on Saturday, November 17, 2018, 1:00 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 26418 Mountain Highway E, Spanaway, WA 98387 (located south of Tacoma).