Eleanor Anne Jacobs

Eleanor “Ellie” Anne Jacobs, Navy veteran and retired Club Manager passed away in her sleep at Oak’s Crossing, Detroit Lakes, MN following a long battle with a blood infection and ultimately kidney failure. Born 11 January 1936 in Detroit Lakes to Elmer and Ethel Rosman, she grew up north of Detroit Lakes, South of Hawley and another farm near Rollag before eventually settling on the farm south of Lake Park, MN.  

Growing up on the farm, “Sis” (as she was affectionately known to her family with her sister, “Tootie”) was more comfortable with chores around the barn as she was cleaning/cooking/chores around the house.  Tootie was the elder by 4 years and often set the standard between the sisters for model behavior at home and school.  Sis, on the other hand, was better known for her mischievous behavior.  4-H was a large part of their lives on the farm, as well, and both Tootie and Sis excelled with showing sheep, calves, pigs and chickens along with Tootie’s baked goods.  In 1952, Sis was awarded Dairy Princess of Becker County and represented the county at the State Fair.  All the while both daughters were cared for and loved by their parents.

After graduating from high school in 1953, Ellie went on to study at Browns Radio Academy in Minneapolis and later to take jobs at radio stations across the upper Midwest (KXGN Glendive, MT; KEVE Minneapolis, MN; KDHL Faribault, MN).  She enjoyed her time working in Radio and meeting stars like Elvis, Liberace, Chubby Checker and Marvin Rainwater.  She later worked in an advertising agency in Detroit Michigan that had her writing one of GM's major ad campaigns.  Ellie had to return to the farm to help while Elmer recovered from a broken leg.  Ellie’s parents tried to convince her to stay and become a farmer, but she enjoyed the excitement of the city.  However, going back to Minneapolis she was unable to land a job and decided to pursue a military career instead.

Going off to the Navy in 1959, Ellie was assigned to Boot camp in Bainbridge, MD (being named Scholastic Petty Officer for her Company) and then ETA school at Great Lakes Naval Station, Chicago, Illinois.  She was then assigned to duty in Newport, RI as an Electronics Tech, becoming the 17th woman in the entire US Navy to reach the rank of Enlisted, 3rd Class.  It was in Newport that Ellie met a new Electronics Tech, Dixi Jacobs.

Dixi and Ellie dated, and eventually married December 1, 1962 in the “Chapel by the Sea”.  Dixi and Eleanor had 2 children, Robert and Donald in addition to Dixi’s children from a previous marriage, Dixi II and Shirley.  Wherever Dixi was stationed, Ellie would take a job managing the officers club or country club receiving commendations and accolades for her successes growing their popularity and business revenue.  Upon Dixi’s retirement from the Navy in 1980, they moved to Eleanor’s hometown of Lake Park, Minnesota, where Elmer and Ethel sold them a portion of the farm.  Dixi, with the help of Eleanor’s cousin Bernie Rosman, built their new home and eventually named it ROSMAN ACRES. 

Ellie and Dixi raised their two boys in her hometown with her parents next door.  She enjoyed hosting holiday parties for friends and family.  With Tootie and Ardean’s growing family with grandkids, some parties included 30, 40 and sometimes more than 50 people.  Many enjoyed Ellie’s cooking and bakery goods were highlights of these gatherings.  As the kids went on to grow their own families, El, Tootie, Ardean and Dixi enjoyed many road trips to casinos and national attractions.  Those trips were later taken accompanied by close friends Jeanne and Terry Teiken.

After Dixi’s passing in March, 2019, Ellie sold the house and moved to Lincoln Park Senior Apartments in Detroit Lakes.  Her cousin, Elaine Riba, joined her in a nearby apartment.

Eleanor is survived by Dixi II (Barb), Robert (Jennifer), Donald (Kristi), Shirley (George) Kelley; grandchildren Emily, Alex, Michael, Katie, Nelson, Marin (Nate), Elizabeth and Eric; Great-grandchildren Eloise, Callahan.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Dixi; sister Eleen “Tootie” (Ardean) Olson and parents Ethel and Elmer Rosman.

Visitation will be held 5:00 to 7:00 PM Friday, March 15, at Wright Funeral Home in Hawley, MN with a prayer service at 6:30.  Public funeral service will be held Saturday, March 16 at 2:00 pm at Cormorant Lutheran Church with visitation starting at 1:00 pm.