Per Jacobson

PER JACOBSON May 5, 1922 - October 31, 2014 Per was born in Galhammar, Sweden and was raised along with his 3 sisters and 1 brother by their single mother, Emma. They moved to a town nearby called Hooverberg where Per was raised and went to school. Per was named after an older brother who drowned at age 4 who his mother had also named Per. Per completed high school and then obtained an apprenticeship in painting. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church in Sweden. Per worked as a painter in Sweden, and when he came to the USA. When Per was 2 years old his father, Oscar, immigrated to the USA to find a better life for the family. However, due to the depression he was never able to return to Sweden or send for his family. He eventually remarried and settled in Portland, Oregon and worked in logging. Per had began corresponding with his father by mail and began making plans to travel to the USA to meet him. But when he met his wife Ellen and they began making plans to marry, she did not want to go with him to the USA so he cancelled his plans. But gradually she agreed to go with him after they married. Per and Ellen married in Sweden on December 26, 1948 and began their journey to USA in February 1949. It took about 2 weeks to finally land in Portland, OR. Oscar was waiting for them at the train station. Per and Ellen had 2 children Kenneth (7/3/1949) and Kathryn (5/31/1952). Kenneth was born with a congenital heart disease which could not be corrected at that time. He had several surgeries and received wonderful care through the Dornbecker Children’s Hospital. In 1955 Per and Ellen moved back to Sweden to try and get help for Kenneth from a heart surgeon there. They stayed there a year but the cold climate was too difficult for Kenneth and his health was suffering. His doctor recommended they move to a warmer climate so they returned to the USA. Kenneth died in 1967. Per continued to work as a painter in Portland, eventually joining a union and his last 13 years he painted for the school district. Per always worked very hard and provided a good life for his family. Per’s painting skills were exceptional and he was always sought out, and was highly recommended by others he painted for. Per enjoyed camping with the family, hunting, fishing, cutting firewood, bowling and golfing. He and Ellen had joined several Scandinavian organizations in the Portland area and were active helping with events, and cooking pancakes for many Swedish pancake breakfasts. Per enjoyed his friendships in this organization. Per is survived by his wife Ellen, Kathryn, his sister Dagny and his many nephews and nieces in Sweden. We love and miss you. Service Information