* Note: This article appeared in the 2003 Chisago County Traveler published by the STAR Newspaper.
by Tesha M. Wiedemann
Special Sections Editor
The elementary school in Rush City has borne the name C.E. Jacobson Elementary School since 1983.
The renaming of the school came as a surprise to the man himself, a 17-year Rush City High School principal and 17-year District 139 Superintendent. It was a surprise organized by the school board in honor of his retirement on March 31, 1983.
The members responsible for renaming the school included chairman Harold Lind, vice-chairman Loring Nelson, treasurer Virgil Hanson, clerk Alice Meissner, Tim McKenny and Dr. William Kieper.
C. E. “Jake” Jacobson’s daughter, Cindy Koepp, remembers that her father was very pleased to discover the school was being renamed after him. “He was not one to be speechless – he always knew what to say – but he was. It really touched him,” added Cindy’s husband, Vern, current C.E. Jacobson Elementary School Principal.
Jacobson, who died on Jan. 4, 1985 of an apparent heart attack, is remembered best for the care he took of and the compassion he showed others. “He had a gentle spirit, was giving, was funny – he could be oddly funny, was genuine, very genuine, and was honest,” Cindy described.
“He cared about people. It didn’t matter if it were a former student who had challenged him as principal, acquaintances, businessmen – it didn’t matter to him,” Vern observed. Cindy added that after Jacobson’s death, “People would stop in who were rebellious in school and they’d say how much they missed him.”
Vern quoted a comment printed in the Post-Review following Jacobson’s death, “He was in a position where he could make enemies everyday, and yet he somehow avoided that… I wouldn’t say he didn’t offend people when he made decisions because he did,” Vern said. “I think people accepted his decisions if they disagreed because they knew he was doing what he thought was best for kids.”
Jacobson had a hard life growing up, according to his daughter, Cindy. His parents died young and at age 16, he moved out on his own in Superior, Wis. to finish high school. Jacobson earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Superior and his master’s from the University of Minnesota.
Jacobson embarked on his teaching career in 1942 where he had also attended school, in Danbury, Wis., as teacher/principal. He followed that up with a stint as teacher/coach in Taylors Falls, before accepting a position as principal/teacher in Rush City in 1949.
Jacobson taught history and social studies in Rush City, and later, after his retirement, taught whatever was needed as a substitute in Pine City, North Branch and Rush City schools.
Cindy said it never bothered her, nor any of her siblings (Gary, Robert, Stephanie [Olson], and Nancy) that their father was principal. “It never bothered me because everyone liked him so much,” she explained. “He was a great dad. I’d see him in the hallway and he’d smile.”
In the spring of 1977, Jacobson hired a young teacher named Vern Koepp, who he then set up with his daughter. Cindy and Vern laughed, remembering, “He was a matchmaker in the 1960s and 1970s.” Jacobson always encouraged Vern to become a principal, but Vern didn’t move into that position until 11 years ago. “He would have been thrilled to know that Vern was principal,” Cindy noted.
Cindy also works in education in the North Branch School District’s first through third grade media center.
Cindy and Vern and their children, Zach, Gabe and Katie, live in rural Rush City. Jacobson’s other children live in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. Son Gary and wife Karen live in Cambridge. Son Robert and Janie live in Lindstrom. Daughter Stephanie and Gary Olson live in Rock Creek and daughter Nancy lives in South Minneapolis. At the time of his death, Jacobson was the proud grandfather of nine: Jesse; Ryan; Alissa, Chris, Shannon and Brian Olson; Zach and Gabe Koepp; and Arin. Since then, the number has grown by five: Megan; Kelly and Sarah; Katie Koepp; and Thora; and there have been two great-grandchildren born: Madeleine, the daughter of Thora, and Saylor, the son of Brian Olson.
Cindy wistfully wishes that her daughter would have known her father, and the rest of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. “He would have been in his glory,” she stated.
It’s not only his family, but the entire community that has felt a loss since Jacobson’s death. Over 700 people packed the elementary school gymnasium and hallways for his funeral. As Post-Review newspaper headline quoted his wife, Shirley, as saying, Jake “belonged to everybody”.
Cindy remembers, “We’d go uptown to get the mail and it’d take him an hour because he’d talk to people. He never drove. He always walked or biked.”
“He was well-known throughout the city,” said Vern. “Throughout the state,” Cindy chimed in.
The list of community activities he was involved in is many: president of the District 25 Principals Association, vice president of Central Minnesota Educational Association, life member of the National Education Association (NEA), NEA national convention delegate in 1957 and 1958, member of the Minnesota and National School Administrators’ Associations, member of the Chisago County Public Health Nursing Committee, board member of the East Central Regional Library Board, past commander of the Rush City American Legion and VFW, charter president of the Rush City Lions, past president of the Rush City Commercial Club and president of the Chisago County Cancer Society.
Jacobson was also a member of the First Lutheran Church of Rush City, serving six years on the church council, teaching Bible classes and serving as an usher. He was also active in the Masonic Lodge and was an Osman Temple Shriner.
In February 1982, he was given the Rush City Commercial Club’s Community Service Award.
But perhaps, his legacy lives on best in the yearly scholarship given in his name.
Vern and Cindy point out, “He gave his life to education.”
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