Obituary of Barbara Ann Gabrielson

Barbara Ann Gabrielson, left this earth on April 1st, 2011. Born November 19, 1925 at Glenwood City, WI, she was the seventh child of Oscar and Laura Jacobson. Growing up on the farm, she enjoyed working outside with her father. She met her husband Jack Austin Gabrielson while working in Milwaukee, WI. They were married June 12, 1948 in Chicago, IL and became the parents of three sons, Rex, Tony and Eric. Jack served in the Navy during WWII and was later recalled into the Air Force, stationed in South Carolina and Barbara joined him there. After the war, Jack became a water treatment engineer and his work took them to Chicago, Plainfield, New Jersey and Calgary, Alberta, Canada and Houston, Texas. During the time they lived in New Jersey, she worked at Chase Manhattan Bank. They were members of the Plainfield Curling Club and it was an important part of their social life. Barb and Jack liked both fishing and family and spent several summer vacations with her sisters and their families at cottages in Northern WI. While in Houston, Barb and Jack both served as officers in their American Legion Post and became very active working at the V.A. Hospital. She was director of the American Legion Auxiliary. Each year she chaired with the management of the Christmas gift shop where the vets could select gifts for their families. After Jack’s death in January 1997 she moved to Salemtowne in Salem, Oregon where she made many friends and enjoyed participating in the activities offered, especially ceramics. Barbara was an energetic, caring, and giving person devoted to her family and to her country. She was an avid reader and kept close track of world affairs through newspapers and CNN. She enjoyed gardening and was a “fix-it” sort of a person. She is survived by her sons, Rex, Tony (Kathy) and Eric; five grandchildren, Morgan, Darith, Brian, Eric Jr. and Johnny. Two sisters, Jeanette Reid and Nancy Bjornson, two brothers, Duane and Bill Jacobson, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who will miss her very much. She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Laura Jacobson, brothers Carl and John Jacobson and sisters Dorothy McCall, Margaret McCall, Edith Campion and one granddaughter Ashley Marie Gabrielson. A celebration of her life will be held at the Salemtowne Club House on April 19, 2011 at 12:30. Arrangements by Crown Memorial Center - Salem.