Gloria Eve Jacobsen's Obituary
Racine - Gloria Eve Jacobsen, 73, passed away on Thursday, December 29, 2022, at her residence.
Gloria was born in Racine to Harry Sr. and Shirley (nee Layton) Jacobsen on May 23, 1949. She graduated from Horlick High School, class of 1967. Gloria received an associate degree in nursing from Gateway Technical College and was in their first graduating class. She had a lengthy career in nursing, starting at St. Luke’s Hospital in downtown Racine in labor and delivery. Gloria then moved on to St. Mary’s Hospital on Spring Street in the ER, followed by the Allergy Clinic of Racine, and telephone triage at Family Health Care. She finished her nursing career with the Racine Visiting Nurses Association before retiring.
Gloria wasn't wealthy, and most often, barely had enough to make ends meet. She had medically retired at a young age due to Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and other painful conditions that constantly made her quality of life poor. This didn't stop her, though. In the 1990's, she became a foster parent and opened her home to those who had nothing. She often spent her own money when the kids needed something special to make them feel at home.
Gloria was a devout Christian and a faithful member of the Spring Street Church of Christ for decades. She was an active Sunday School teacher for the children of the congregation and attended women's bible study groups. "Miss Gloria" could usually be found with bags of candy for the kids in her church and Bible classes. To say she loved those kids would be to undersell her legacy. When church services would conclude, Gloria could often be found in the company of her fellow congregants at a local brunch hotspot.
For those of you who knew Gloria, you would have likely referred to her simply as "Mom" or “Gramma Gloria.” Those who didn't know her will sadly never know what they missed. In her time as an RN, she was the neighborhood doctor for all the children who suffered cuts and bruises. She was a loving woman with a heart of gold and a personality that could fill another’s heart with happiness.
Gloria was proud of her nails. She would regularly go to Laguna Nails with her best friend, Terry Singer. She enjoyed watching professional bull riding as well as quilting, and crocheting. Gloria loved her family and cherished every moment with them. Her grandchildren meant the world to her. Gloria took extreme pride in every one of her brothers’ individual accomplishments. She held them close in her heart and would have done anything for them and their families.
Gloria will be lovingly remembered by her children: Michelle (Brian) Kijek and Christopher Hall and their father, Harlon (Jacqueline) Hall; grandchildren: Abigail Hall (Shaun Koutoulas), Mikayla Stackman, and Alexander Jambretz; great-grandson, Kellan Koutoulas; brothers: Harry (Wendy) Jacobsen Jr., Roger (MaryAnn) Jacobsen, and Robin (Patty) Jacobsen; very dear friends: Terry Singer, Debbie Draves, Dennis Musurlian, amongst countless others. Gloria is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and other relatives, as well as many other friends, too numerous to list. Gloria was preceded in death by her parents and by her former husband, Michael Stanke.
Gloria was very special, and she will be missed terribly. If you pray, please pray for her grandchildren and her great-grandson to find peace. “You are loved very much!”
A celebration of Gloria’s life will be held on Sunday, January 8, 2023, at Wilson Funeral Home at 6:00 pm. Family and friends are invited to a time of visitation at the funeral home on Sunday from 4:00 pm until the time of service. Donations to the family would be appreciated. Please share a memory or story of Gloria on this website.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to all the healthcare staff members that helped in her last several months, especially in the ICU, at Aurora Medical Center Mount Pleasant for their amazing care of Gloria.
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