Mary A. Jacobs, 94, Halstad, MN, passed away on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at the Hillsboro Medical Center in Hillsboro, ND.

Mary Alice Stieneke was born on November 28, 1929, to Walter and Delia Stieneke of Cherokee County, Iowa. She was the youngest of five siblings. After graduating from high school, she attended Wayne State Teacher's College. Following the completion of her studies there, she taught kindergarten and first grade children in Iowa for 15 years. The next 25 years she taught in Minnesota schools, mostly in Duluth.

In 1951 Mary married Jack Sykes, and they had two children, Camelia De (Lamey) and Blake Thomas. In 1979 she married Stanford Jacobs, and he passed away in 1997. Mary resided in the Duluth area from 1969 until 2002. At this time, she moved to Halstad and made her home in the Heritage House Independent Living Apartments and was a member of the Halstad Lutheran Church since 2002.

Much of her time during retirement was spent on volunteer activities for her church in Duluth. She was the volunteer coordinator and board member with Habitat for Humanity, member of Churches United in Ministry where she also served on the board and was a committee member, and meals in the home volunteer. She was also a member of the Refugee & Social Concerns Committee of St. Andrews where she helped with the resettlement of a family from Eritrea. Mary stayed in touch with this family until the time of her death, she considered it one of her most rewarding experiences. In Halstad, she was a hospice visitor, and volunteered in the Halstad Living Center.

When not doing volunteer work, Mary enjoyed taking rides with friends, a bit of gardening, a bit of craft work, and some traveling.

Mary is survived by her children, Cammie (Tim) Lamey, Fargo, ND, and Blake Sykes, Moorhead, MN; nieces and nephews, and extended family, Anne Perry Moore, Brad Jacobs.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Delia; four siblings and their spouses; and husbands, Jack Sykes and Stanford Jacobs.

She requested in lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the Halstad Lutheran Church, or St. Andrews by the Lake in Duluth. Or do a random act of kindness for a stranger.

A Celebration of Mary's life will take place at the Halstad Living Center on Thursday, July 11, 2024 from 1 – 3 pm. All are welcome.

There will be a separate service at St. Andrews by the Lake Episcopal Church in Duluth, mid-September.

Please view our guestbook and share condolences online for the family.