Elayne Wagner Jacobson, age 97 of Monroe,Wisconsin passed away peacefully at home on August 27, 2026 and is now in the arms of the Lord. Elayne was born on November 18th, 1928 in Ada, Minnesota, the daughter of Emil and Cecelia (Kappes) Wagner. She graduated from Ada High School in 1946 alongside her high school sweetheart Raymond Jacobson with whom she is now reunited.
Elayne attended Moorhead State Teachers College (now Minnesota State University-Moorhead) in Moorhead, Minnesota where she received an Associates Degree in 1949. She was soon reunited with Ray after his service in the United States Army and they were married on November 24, 1951 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Ada.
They subsequently moved to Janesville, Wisconsin where Elayne worked at Mercy Hospital and Ray worked for Wisconsin Power and Light. In 1965, they moved nearby to Monroe, Wisconsin with their growing family of 5 young boys. Elayne worked at St. Clare Hospital (now SSM Health-Monroe) as a Medical Technologist for nearly 35 years until her retirement in 1998. She also volunteered her time in the Day Surgery Department for many years where she enjoyed spending time with patients and staff.
Elayne will be remembered for her contagious smile, laugh and devotion to her faith, family and friends. She had many dear friends in Monroe over the years and especially enjoyed her weekly golf and bowling leagues as well as playing cards including Euchre, Cribbage and Bridge. She loved to work on challenging crossword puzzles, was an avid book reader all of her life, and a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan. Elayne also loved daily walks with her dog and visiting with her grandchildren. She knew no greater love than that for her husband Ray, who was always by her side. They were both devout members of St. Victor Catholic Church in Monroe.
Elayne was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband of 68 years Ray Jacobson; their youngest son Tom; sister Delores Pforr; dear brothers Richard J. Wagner and Donald W. Wagner. She is survived by her four loving sons, Steven (Patti) of Monroe,Wisconsin; Gene (Tracy) of Monroe,Wisconsin; Dr. Joel (Jamie) of Oshkosh,Wisconsin; and Keith (Jolene) of Freeport, Illinois; her sister Rozella Nelson of Ada, Minnesota; her youngest brother James (Kathy) Wagner of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota: 7 grandchildren, Ross of Monroe; Patti of Monroe; Jaimee of Monroe; Jordyn of Oshkosh; Jonah of Oshkosh; Kyler of Freeport, Illinois; Kasey of Freeport, Illinois and 5 great-great grandchildren, as well as numerous beloved nieces, nephews and sisters-in-law, Mary and Alice.
A private ceremony for the family will be held on Wednesday September 2, 2026 at Newcomer Funeral Home in Monroe, Wisconsin. Burial ceremony will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Monroe, Wisconsin. Condolences may be shared at www.newcomerfuneralhome.net
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested in Elayne’s name to the Green County Humane Society or Monroe Theatre Guild.
The family would like to acknowledge the excellent care and compassion of her in-home caregivers over the past several years, especially her daily caregiver Jodie Rupp (Johnson) for all of their love and affection while caring for Elayne.
