Lena L. Jacobson

Lena Lorraine Jacobson, 92, joined her heavenly family on March 11, 2017. Lena was one of six children born to parents, Lawrence Shaffer and Lena Moder, in Mulberry, Kansas in 1924. She and her younger sister, Delores, began their many adventures as young women by moving to Wichita, and Lena joined the World War II workforce at the Boeing Airplane Company working as a “Rosie the Riveter.” She embodied the “can do” spirit long before it became fashionable to say it. Shortly after the war, she then continued her work career at the WT Grant Company located in bustling downtown Wichita, and would soon meet her future husband, Walter M. Jacobson, while working there. Walter was a store manager and she was a clerk. Walter was also a “tall and handsome” World War II veteran who had served as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Infantry and had fought and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. The new couple kept their relationship “secret” at the WT Grant Company until they announced their engagement at a company picnic. It was “love at first sight” for Walter, but Lena made the young officer and a gentleman wait six months before she would agree to marry him. Her boss always joked that Walter cost him “his very best clerk” when he married Lena. After she was wed to her beloved husband of 37 years, Walter, she became a wonderful and caring homemaker to him and their three children. After Walter passed away in 1984, Lena soon returned to the work force. She started working for USD 259 serving lunch at Truesdell Middle School for a few years where she soon became known as “everyone’s favorite “Grandma.” Lena then worked and eventually retired after 16 years of service from JoAnn’s Fabrics, formerly Cloth World, in the Towne West Mall. While working at JoAnn’s, she often enjoyed her breaks with her grandson Jeremy who also worked in the mall. Lena was a passionate crafter and loved sewing, and she enjoyed attending local and county craft shows. She loved to make stuffed animals, quilts, and seasonal holiday items. Christmas, Easter and birthdays were her favorite times of the year. She also enjoyed reading her bible, gardening and attended Pathway Church. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and she will be dearly missed. Her strong spirit touched everyone she met in life. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter M. Jacobson; grandson, Payton Jacobson; daughter in law, Susan Jacobson; parents, Lawrence and Lena Shaffer; brothers, Lawrence and William Shaffer; and sisters, Sadie Pichler and Alice Marsh. Lena is survived by sons, Ronald (Lisette) and Steven Jacobson; daughter, Cathy (David) Engels; sister, Delores Cloud; grandchildren, Jeremy (Anna) and Nathan (Karen Dodson) Engels; Aaron (Brittany) Jacobson; Taylor, Gianna, and William Jacobson; great granddaughter, Skylar Jacobson, and a great grandchild on the way. Visitation 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 16, 2017 at Resthaven Mortuary, and Funeral Service 11 a.m. Friday, March 17, 2017 at Pathway Church, 2001 N. Maize Rd., Wichita, KS.