Mae Jacobs

Mae Etta Jacobs, 86, of Merrill, passed away on Monday, February 28, 2011, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice. She was born on September 28, 1924 in Merrill to the late Oscar and Edna (Knudson) Halder and was baptized at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Merrill. Mae Etta attended school in Merrill and graduated from Merrill Senior High in 1942. She continued her education at the Technical School and learned welding, which lead her to Sturgeon Bay to test for a job at the Leathem D. Smith Shipyard. Mae Etta passed her welding exams and was hired on as a welder in October 1942. She met her husband, Lorin, while working in Sturgeon Bay and they were married on August 18, 1943. They had five children, James, William, Peggy, Lloyd, and John.
Mae Etta also worked as a nurses aide at Edgewater Hospital in Chicago and for 20 years at Pinecrest Nursing Home in Merrill. She enjoyed crocheting afghans and knitting sweaters, which she shared with all of her family, and also was a Blue Ribbon-Best-In-Show winner for her doilies. She was a member of the Sweet Adelines and the Friendly Neighbors. Mae Etta was the Treasurer of the Grace Circle at First English Lutheran Church and later the President. She enjoyed traveling and having adventures with Peggy. She also was an avid football and basketball fan; she loved the Packers and Brett Favre.
She is survived by her children, James (Joan) of Jacksonville, FL, William (Joann) of San Angelo, TX, Peggy Dorfschmidt of Tomahawk, Lloyd (Rachele) of Converse, TX, and John (Fortune) of Lady Lake, FL; ten grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and two twin great-grandchildren will be arriving in June.
Mae Etta was preceded in death by her husband, Lorin; parents; brother, William Halder; sister, Mary Ann Jacobson; and special friends, Bertha Altenberger and Lillian Schultz.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, March 3, 2011 at First English Lutheran Church, 402 North 3rd Ave., Wausau, with Rev. Erik Olson officiating. Visitation will begin at 12 noon until the time of service at the church. Burial in Pine Grove Cemetery. You may sign the family guest book at helke.com.