Jacobson named 2018 First Lady for Clearwater County

Donna Rae Jacobson was chosen as the 39th First Lady of Clearwater County at the luncheon at Fire Side in Bagley. Laurel Carlson was the first one in 1977. 

Bonnie Kirchman described the First Lady that was sent in by several of her friends and family. They include: she is always putting others before herself, her energy and enthusiasm is contagious, she is an inspiration to others to work and give of themselves, she is a silent servant with her many acts of kindness are often only known to her and the recipients and her faith calls her to serve 7 days a week. 

She has been active in no less than 7 county and city organizations. 

Donna Rae picks people up for church and will take them to doctor’s appointments or to visit loved ones in hospitals whether in Bemidji or Fargo. 

One lady sent in a letter when she was working at the Good Samaritan Center as she would visit residents there. One time a few years ago she brought along her new microwave oven. The women residents were anxious to have her demonstrate this new oven. She showed them how different foods were cooked. They all got to taste popcorn. They decided that a microwave would be a nice to have in the kitchen when they were cooking. 

The local women’s History Month theme was “Farm Girls” and it was fitting that Donna Rae is a farm girl. She was born in North Dakota and attended high school and college there. She received her master’s degree at the University of Minnesota and worked for Extension Services for many years in Minnesota, North Dakota and in Wisconsin. She came to Minnesota in the early 1980’s and raised her son Bryan in Clearbrook. 

She was involved in the Clearbrook Auxiliary, the All School reunion, Restoration of the Clearbrook Depot, organizing the Santa Day craft sale, being active in the Good Shepherd Church, serving on several committees. She is on the board of directors for Northern Exposure to Lifelong Learning and the Clearwater County Historical Society. She organizes meals on wheels in Clearbrook and the winter community card group. She serves on the Community planning board and helps organize the Memorial Day commemoration. At Christmas time she makes up small bags of gifts and hands them out to everyone whether she knows them or not.

All of these things, and more, she does even though it is physically taxing for her. Several years ago she fell, breaking both her ankles, and now she has what she describes as “four hour feet” but she continues on with a loving heart and a positive attitude.

This First Lady Award is not the first one that she has received. She received the Red River Valley Winter Shows Outstanding Service Award, Red River Valley Emerging Leadership program, a leadership award from the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and recognition for economic growth and the creation of new jobs in Oneida County Wisconsin.

Her personal motto is “Building towards a brighter today and tomorrow  through learning, sharing and caring.”

Tamara Edevold, with the Clearwater County Historical Society gave a brief history of Women’s History Week. It was started 50 years ago by a California group. In 1980 President Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the Week of March 8th as National Women’s History Week. In 1987 Congress declared March as National Women’s History Month to honor the extraordinary achievements of American women.

Providing musical selections was Connie Nunemaker. She and her husband Bill retired to Minnesota after a career of teaching in Ohio. They enjoy life in the northern woods. She is a member of the first violin section of the Bemidji Symphony. In her spare time she enjoys reading, crafts, sewing with friends working to increase the numbers of flowering plants in her yard for butterflies and other pollinators and is the Treasurer of the Shevlin Garden Club.

Special speaker for the day was Angela Foster who co-authored “Farm Girls” with her sister, Candace Simar, which was a fitting topic for the event. It was released by Riverplace Press of Brainerd. Angela is a writer, creative writing teacher, and editor from Pine City.