~ IN MEMORY ~

Jeanine Mae Jacobson, wife of WA/DL Capt. Carl Jacobson

October 22, 1940 – October 15, 2026

Jeanine Mae Ahrens was born on Oct 22, 1940 in Yakima, Wa, to William and Erma Ahrens. Her growing-up years were mostly spent in the Gig Harbor area of Washington, where her parents owned a lumber and hardware store at the end of Henderson Inlet. Her pursuit of music began at the age of six when her grandmother shipped a piano from Nebraska, so Jeanine could begin lessons. In high school, she continued piano lessons, began organ lessons, and played the flute in the band. She excelled at the piano and upon entering the University of Washington began working towards her bachelor’s degree in piano performance.

Three years into her studies, she married the love of her life, Carl Jacobson. They had dated in high school, played music together in the band and attended the University together. They had their first child, Katherine, Carl joined the Navy becoming a pilot and their second daughter Rachel was born. Jeanine’s music career was put on hold as she and the girls followed Carl’s squadron around Europe. When Carl was deployed to the Vietnam War, Jeanine refused to sit around and worry, finding it the perfect time to finish her music degree. Carl’s Navy obligation ended, and he became a commercial pilot for Western and then Delta Airlines. Now it was his turn to follow Jeanine while she pursued a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota and a doctorate from the University of Oklahoma. With her degrees, Jeanine became a professor at Cal State Northridge in Los Angeles, teaching and performing piano for 20 years.

Her time in retirement was spent between Hood River and Olympia where her two grandchildren, Dylan Matson and Rhianna Salman lived. She loved spending time at the’ beachhouse’ with all the family. Jeanine continued to share her love of the piano in her retirement. She wrote two piano pedagogy textbooks, worked with the Music Teachers Associations of Washington and Oregon, and organized various fundraising music events.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Carl Jacobson, daughters Katherine Jacobson and Rachel Bergin (Bill Bergin), brother Douglas Ahrens (Linda Ahrens), granddaughter, Rhianna Salman (Sam Fennell) and grandson, Dylan Matson.

A celebration of life followed by reception will be held 11:00 A.M., Thursday, November 5, 2026 at Anderson’s Tribute Center.

Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com