Shirley Clara May (Stone) Jacobsen

Shirley Clara Mae (Stone) Jacobsen, 86 of Isanti passed away Sunday, July 9, 2023 at her home.

Shirley was born on May 4th, 1937, in Hampden, North Dakota, to Ingvald and Clara Stone, their 4th and youngest child. When she was around four years old, the family moved to Winger, MN, to care for elderly family. They crop farmed and milked cows; her dad had work horses and that’s when her love for horses

was born.

Shirley graduated from MacIntosh High School, MacIntosh, MN, in 1954.  Later that year, on October 23rd, she married Calvin Durward {Durward} Jacobsen.  After they were married, they moved to ‘the cities’ and shortly afterward they purchased 40 acres with a farmhouse and barn in Ham Lake, MN. This is where their horse dreams began. They owned a conglomeration of different horses, from bays to paints, Appaloosas to Quarter Horses. They also raised cattle, chickens, a pig or two and 3 children. 

In 1966, they kept 20 of the original 40 acres and built a new house and barn.  We always laughed years later – the barn was built before the house; we knew what was more important! They had previously sold 10 of the other 20 acres to her brother, Iver, which lead to the end result years later: Shirley had all her siblings living within a quarter mile of her. There was even a short time her mother lived in the neighborhood as well.  This is when the passion for horses took off. They would go to horse sales, horse shows, and read pedigrees. Both were really good, but Shirley knew her stuff; she could inform anyone about who was who in the dam and sire business. If there had been internet back then, there would have been no stopping her!  They used their knowledge to acquire well-bred Quarter Horses with excellent conformation. The herd grew to about 20-25 horses at any given time, in all different colors, shapes and ages.

Around 1970, Shirley went to work for the local school district as a cafeteria cook.  She retired from that in the mid 1980’s. In 1994, they sold the home in Ham Lake and moved to Isanti where they currently reside.

Shirley enjoyed many hobbies as well. She had an Amway business at one time, and she enjoyed crocheting and sewing. She loved reading books, and she did an excellent job refinishing furniture.

Most of all, Shirley LOVED to ride her horses, and there had been many. In addition to pleasure riding and even some training, she did some horse showing and was pretty successful with a little bay gelding named Buck. She’s riding him now.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, two brothers, a beloved niece, and two nephews.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Durward Jacobsen, and 3 children: Patricia (Michael) Kuntz, Center City, MN; James (Carrie) Jacobsen, Stacy, MN; Mark Jacobsen, Cambridge, MN. She was blessed with five grandchildren: Megan Kuntz, Center City, MN; Stephen (Jeni) Kuntz, North Branch, MN; Eryn (Monty) Reedy, Mineral Wells, TX; Jimmy (Jessica) Jacobsen, Backus, MN; Joey (Brittany) Jacobsen, Rush City, MN.  She also has three beautiful great grand-daughters: Taylor, Teagan, & Taesyn Kuntz.

The family of Shirley wish to extend the most sincere thank you to the beautiful and wonderful people from St. Croix Hospice. Kelli, Bre, and Jessica, there are no words to express our appreciation and gratitude for the love, care, and comfort you gave her.

Funeral Services 11AM, Tuesday, July 18, 2023 with visitation one hour prior to service at the Carlson Lillemoen Funeral Home, 311 Ashland St. S., Cambridge, MN.  Burial in the Old Bethel Cemetery.

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