Geneva (Gene) Augusta Lystne Jacobson was born to Olaf and Marie (Sannes) Lystne on April 28, 1909, at Milnor, North Dakota. As a railroad mail carrier, Gene's father moved to various cities in North Dakota, so the family lived in Devils Lake, New Rockford, Grand Forks, and Fargo. It was while living in Fargo that Gene started school. In April of 1921, Gene's mother died of tuberculosis and she moved to Gary, Minnesota, to live with her Aunt Pauline and Uncle Paul Flaa. Here she was confirmed in the Gary Lutheran Church, and taught Sunday school. She graduated from Mahnomen High School in 1927. In 1927-1928 she attended Moorhead State College. After attaining her teaching certificate she taught country school for 2 years.


Her special burning ambition was to be a registered nurse. To this end she enrolled in the Cook County Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago in the fall of 1930. After graduating in 1933, she worked at Cook County until 1938.


On June 10, 1933, she and Melvin Sander Jacobson, a medical student from Watford City, North Dakota, were married in Valparasio, Indiana. They lived and worked in Chicago until Melvin graduated from Loyola Medical School in 1937. In 1938 she and Dr. Jacobson moved to Elgin, North Dakota. Here they opened the hospital and worked to provide good medical care for the people of the area. Gene continued to work hand in hand with her husband as they set up and staffed the hospital and clinic. Her painless shots were legendary.


They joined Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church where Gene was active in teaching Sunday school. She was a charter member of the Women's Missionary Federation where she held various offices. She served two terms as recording secretary for the church council and two terms as financial secretary. Gene remained active in the church until her death. Gene also served two terms as recording secretary for the Directors of the Jacobson Memorial Hospital, named in honor or her husband. Gene was an active member of the hospital auxiliary. Gene helped to promote the Golden Age Club of Elgin Senior Citizens and was active and supportive in the Senior Meds program.


Gene was an avid reader and enjoyed quilting and bridge. She was famous for her homemade fudge and doughnut holes and shared them generously with her friends and neighbors. She loved her family and enjoyed attending the various activities with her children, grandchildren and even her great grandchildren. Her strength and courage inspired all who knew her.


Geneva died in the Jacobson Memorial Care Center on July 20, 2006.


She is survived by four sons and daughters-in-law, Hugh and Audrey and Lee and Bonnie of Bismarck; Robert and Yvonne of Lincoln, California; Wallace and Linda of Tucson, Arizona; two daughters and sons-in-law, Sandra and Ray Christensen of Glen Ullin and Patricia and Robert Grossman of Hettinger. She has 15 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild; and one sister, Marvel Petrakis, Alhambra, CA.


She was preceded in her death by her husband, Melvin, who died on May 7, 1985; her brother, Wallace Lystne; and one grandson, Mark Lewis Jacobson, who died on October 8, 1993.


A remembrance service will be held on Tuesday, July 25, at 7 P.M. at the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elgin, ND. All who wish to remember Gene are welcome to attend. The funeral will be Wednesday, July 26, at 10:30 A.M. at the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. Pastor Jerry Lee will officiate with inurnment at Zion Lutheran Cemetery.


The family requests memorials be given to Gene's favorite charities: the Ruth Meiers Hospitality House, the Abused Adult Resource Center and the God's Child Project all of Bismarck.