Stella Louise (Abbott) Jacobsen

Stella Louise Jacobsen, 72, of Idaho Falls, passed away September 12, 2024, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, surrounded by family and friends who loved her.

Stella was born, April 8.1952, in San Francisco, California, to Melvin Abbott and Mary Elizabeth Kerr Abbott. She grew up and attended schools in southern California and Idaho.

She was a member of the Catholic Church and graduated from St. Gertrude's Academy, a school that she loved and excelled in many subjects. In June 1972, she married Wes Oswald in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Together they had two children, Kathleen and Shaun. They were later divorced.

She then went to school to learn data and word processing skills and later graduated from East Idaho Technical College. After graduation, she worked for what was then known as the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. While there she met Brent Nell Jacobsen, who managed the technical library. On January 1, 1983, she married Brent in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Stella and Brent blended their families and made their home on John Adams Parkway in Idaho Falls. Stella worked in various roles in the classification, training, and security offices, among other jobs, eventually retiring in 2005 to spend more time with family.

Both Brent and Stella were very well liked, making friendships that would last the rest of their lives. She greatly enjoyed reading and loved to share her extensive library with family and friends. She also enjoyed cooking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She loved to share her cozy home with family and visiting friends.

Most days, the kitchen and back porch were like grand central station and she loved it! She always wanted anyone who walked into her home to feel warm, welcomed, accepted, and well fed. She extended her home to all her family, providing a soft place to land no matter what was going on in their lives.

Even though later in life she could not get out often, she loved having visits from friends and family. She was always very easy to talk to with a warm and at times, sharp sense of humor. In addition to having eyes in the back of her head, as mothers do, she had a wide repertoire of subtle looks that she used to convey her emotion without a need for any words at all. If you got a "look," then watch out! At the same time, she was accepting of others and respected their differences.

Stella's home was always maintained with treats to share and really good coffee. She was always the best conversationalist, she knew a little about a lot of different things. She was always strong, resilient, and kind-hearted. Her kindness and generosity will be forever missed.

Stella is survived by her son, Shaun Wesley (Caroline) Oswald of the UK; daughter, Kathleen Oswald of Idaho Falls, ID; sister, Elaine Fullmer of ID; sister, Kathleen (Kelly) Abbott of AZ; sister, Tina (Mike) Cupps of OR; sister, JoAnne Abbott of NY; brother, James (Noreen) Abbott of NY; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Brent, her parents, and brother, George Hansen.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 21, 2024, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Avenue, with Deacon Tom Middleton officiating. A rosary will be held Friday at 6:00 p.m. with a visitation to follow until 8:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family will receive guests after graveside services at 1700 Shasta Street, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 83402.