Jacqueline Learned’s limousine arrived at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minnesota Tuesday, 18 August, promptly at 8:00 AM to chauffeur her to Heaven, a trip she had been anticipating for some months. True to her nature, she paused as she left this world to donate her eyes to Lion’s Gift of Sight for medical research. Like saffron in a fine recipe, she will long linger in the hearts and minds of those she touched in her 97 years.

Born Jacqueline Arlene Jacob on 9 December 1922, in Galesburg, Illinois, Jackie, as she her friends knew her, was the only daughter of Nell Spencer Jacob and Verner Lloyd Jacob. She married Edward Raymond Learned on January 29, 1950, at First Methodist Church in Galesburg, Illinois. Having got it right the first time, Jackie never remarried following his passing in 1974. She gave birth to one son, Gary Edward Learned, who she now entrusts to live up to the bar that she and Edward set.

Throughout her life, Jackie had many careers, from Beautician in Galesburg to School Bus Driver in Milwaukee to Cosmetologist, where she owned her own Merle Norman Studio in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. Upon moving to Minnesota, she managed a cosmetics counter at Dayton’s before retiring for the first time. Jackie even spent time handing out food samples at Costco in her late 80s, retiring for the last time as she approached her 90th Birthday. The one common element to all of Jackie’s careers was that they were people facing and service-oriented. Jackie was a giving, caring person. Whether it was baking 12 pies in an afternoon because she wasn’t sure what kind someone might like, showing up with a carful of presents, or just being herself for anyone in their time of need, Jackie was always there.

After her husband’s passing, Jackie moved from Milwaukee to Minneapolis to be close to her son Gary and to ensure that he was paying attention to life’s lessons. Often she had to repeat lessons to make certain they stuck. Rumor has it however that eventually he saw the light and finally caught on. Gary took Jackie with him often on his trips and some of her favorite places were Seattle, New Mexico, Yellowstone, and the freeways of Wyoming where she took advantage of the long straight highways to see if perhaps a racing career was in her future.

The most recent year took its toll on Jackie, challenging her with heart problems, a broken hip, and COVID-19, for which she tested positive for while recovering from hip surgery. At 97 years of age, she fought the good fight and overcame these trials and others, including COVID, praying to God that she was ready to come home in His time. When that time finally came, she passed peacefully holding Gary’s hand after waiting for him to get his morning coffee. Jackie will be with her husband at Wisconsin Memorial Park in Milwaukee. Because of the times we live in, she has chosen cremation as a first step until she can be with Edward. A small celebration of her life will be held when possible for close friends and an online remembrance for those more distant. Donations to her church, Lutheran Church of the Master (https://lcmonline.net/give) requested instead of flowers.