Michal Grannes Jacobsen

Michal Grannes Jacobsen passed away peacefully at his home on February 11, 2015 surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born August 19, 1941 to John & Lois Jacobsen in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

Michal graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1960. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography from Washington State University in 1965 and his Machinist degree from Walla Walla Community College in 1980.

In 1966, he joined the Army and served 1 year in Vietnam during his 4-year enlistment. He later joined the Army National Guard where he served for 9 years then transferred to the Navy Reserve as a machinist to serve out his 20 years. Michal retired in 2001 at the rank of E-7. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 992 and a member of the Fleet Reserve Association.

He loved music & played the violin in the Walla Walla Symphony until 1984. He belonged to the First Church of Christ Scientist of Massachusetts.

He married Nancy Parker in 1971 and later divorced. On October 12, 1984, he married the love of his life, Elverta M. Schaub.

Michal was a loving & devoted husband and father and a loyal friend. He loved spending time with his family and enjoyed the many travels throughout his life. He was a wonderful man who lived every day with hope, joy & love and he will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched.

Michal is survived by his wife of 30 years, Elverta M. Jacobsen; 4 children, John (Julia) Parker IV, Inta (Mark) Woods, Andy (Cyndi) Jacobsen, Merry (Pat) Robertson; 3 step children, David (Linda) Schaub, Michael Schaub, Neiola (Ted) Duffy along with 16 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. Other survivors include 7 sisters-in-law; 4 brothers-in-law and numerous nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John & Lois Jacobsen; sister-in-law, Juanita Phillips; mother-in-law, Margaret Allbee & grandson, Patrick Duffy.

A celebration of Michal’s life will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 1:00 PM at the VFW, 102 N. Colville, Walla Walla, WA with Chaplain Keith Canwell officiating.

The family would like to thank the staff at Walla Walla Community Hospice for all their care & support over Michal’s time in Hospice and in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Walla Walla Community Hospice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA.