Madison - Charles E. Jacobson, 81, of Madison, WI, passed away on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at The Villa at Middleton Village nursing home in Middleton, WI, after a recent hospitalization and a many years valiant struggle living with dementia.
Charles was born August 13, 1935 in Jackson County, WI, son of Gaylord and Clara (Vindal) Jacobson.
Charles was a graduate of Whitehall High School, class of 1953. He continued his education at Dunwoody Industrial Institute in Minneapolis, MN and graduated in 1956 with a degree in Drafting and Estimating. He began work at Lieder Lumber, La Crosse, WI, and later at Beaver Builders, Galesville, WI.
Charles married his high school sweetheart, Ardis Christianson, September 1, 1956 at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Whitehall, WI. Charles and Ardis lived in La Crosse, WI, where their son, Brian, and daughter, Kristi, were later born.
The family moved to Sheboygan, WI in 1963. Charles was employed at Ebenreiter Lumber Company from 1963 to 1986. Charles began working as a draftsman and spent several years drawing house plans and working with contractors on the construction of new homes in the Sheboygan area. He also worked on commercial projects, drawing plans and preparing materials estimates. Charles was later promoted to Sales Manager and eventually General Manager.
Charles and Ardis moved to Madison, WI in 1987. Charles was hired at Fish Building Supply, Middleton, WI, to head a commercial sales division. He later became General Manager of the retail store and truss plant when Fish Building Supply was sold to United Building Centers (UBC). Charles retired from UBC in 2001.
Charles enjoyed bird hunting and fishing. He became an avid fly fisherman and took up fly tying as a hobby. He spent his early retirement years fly fishing for trout in streams all over southwestern Wisconsin and Iowa. He was a member of Trout Unlimited and was active in their stream cleanup events. Charles also enjoyed woodworking and collecting antique tools. He also dabbled in photography and picture framing. Charles was a lifetime member of Madison Elks #410.
Survivors include his wife, Ardis, son, Brian, and daughter, Kristi (James) Donovan of Madison, WI; his granddaughters, Hollister (Philip) Gattuso of Pleasant Prairie, WI and Korbynn Donovan of Milwaukee, WI. He is further survived by sisters-in-law Carol Tillung of Powder Springs, GA, Sharon Jacobson of Parker, CO, and Sandra (Allen) Engevold of Cudahy, WI. He is also survived by nieces, nephews and cousins. His parents and three brothers, Jerome, Fredrick, and Daniel, preceded him in death.
A memorial service for Charles will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, 701 S. Century Ave Waunakee, WI, with Rev. Karen Locken, officiating. Family and friends may call at the church on Thursday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place at Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Pigeon Falls, WI at a later date.
The family would like to express sincere heart-felt thanks to the staff at Agrace HospiceCare for the compassionate care and comfort they provided in Charles' final days.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Alzheimer's and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin.
Winn-Cress Funeral Home
5785 Hwy Q
Waunakee, WI 53597
608-843-5337
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