PAYNESVILLE — Peter J. Jacobson, 81, the longtime publisher of the Paynesville Press , died Jan. 26, 2025, at Paynesville Health Care Center due to complications of Parkinson's disease.
His visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 28, at the Paynesville Lutheran Church, 657 Maple Street. A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, March 29, at the same church.
Born in Willmar on June 12, 1943, Jacobson grew up on a farm near Hawick, according to his Paynesville Press obituary. After graduating from Paynesville High School in 1961, he attended Augsburg College in Minneapolis, earning a bachelor's degree in physics in 1965. In 1968, he received a National Science Foundation grant to earn a master's in physics at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y.
After marrying Lynne LeMasurier in 1965, he taught science at Breck School for three years and at Wayzata Junior High for three years.
In 1973, Jacobson joined the Paynesville Press, succeeding Lynne's father, publisher Earle LeMasurier, and served as publisher for 33 years. He also served on the Minnesota Newspaper Association's board of directors for a decade and served as the association's president in 1991. Peter and Lynne Jacobson retired in 2006 and sold the newspaper to their son, Michael Jacobson.
Active in the Paynesville community, Jacobson served many roles: as the Paynesville Chamber president, a Lions Club member for more than 50 years, and as a Jaycees president and regional director. An active member of the Koronis Lake Association, he served as the group's president for 20 years. At the Paynesville Lutheran Church, he was building chairman in 1985 and president of the congregation in 2000. He also sang tenor in the church choir and served as a lay minister.
He is survived by his wife; his daughter, Laurie Rappa of Milwaukee; his son, Michael (and Geri) of Paynesville; grandchildren and other relatives.
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