Marla Jacobson Blaser

Marla Kay Jacobson Blaser, 84, died on February 21, 2024 in Kirkland, Washington. She was born on January 4, 1940 in Sandpoint, Idaho. She was the only child of Stanley and Gertrude (Bonner) Jacobson. Stanley was a logger and Gertrude was a teacher. Marla moved with her parents to Eugene, Oregon in 1944. She attended South Eugene High School and graduated in 1958.

Marla was married on June 14, 1958 to Kenneth Nowak of Cottage Grove, Oregon. They had two daughters (Laurie and Lissa). She was later married to Ray Phillip Pettigrew with whom she had a son (Ray) and a daughter (Lesley). She was married on March 25, 1982 to Robert Blaine Blaser of Seattle, Washington, who had two sons (Robert “Scott” and Mark).

Marla received her BS in Sociology and her Master’s Degree in Public Affairs from the University of Oregon in 1982. Marla lived in many parts of the country during her lifetime (Idaho, Oregon, California, Alaska, Nevada, Rhode Island, Virginia, Hawaii, and Illinois). She moved to the Seattle area in 1982, and spent most of the rest of her life near Seattle, with a few years in Sandpoint, Idaho in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Marla is survived by her children, Laurie (Van), Lissa (Russ), Ray (Lise), and Lesley (Takato), and stepson Mark (Laura); 14 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Marla was predeceased by her parents Stanley and Gertrude; husbands Ken, Ray and Bob; stepson Robert “Scott”, and granddaughter Emily.

Marla loved her family, and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, who called her Nana. Marla was an avid reader, and her love of books was a big part of her life. She was an active volunteer for the Kenmore Library and received the Friends of the Library Hall of Fame Award in 2013 for her many years of service. She also was very interested in family genealogy, and put many years into researching her family history and sharing what she learned. Holidays were very important to her, and she loved to celebrate special occasions with her loved ones.

Marla loved to travel, and went to many places in the world. Marla and Bob were able to travel extensively by train throughout Europe in the spring of 1992, and that trip was a very special memory for her. She also traveled to the Philippines, Mexico, Japan and Australia. Marla was an active member of Northlake Lutheran Church, and her faith was very important to her. She put her faith into action by supporting and volunteering for charities such as Lutheran World Relief and many others to help those in need. Volunteering to help others was one of the guiding principles of her life.

A graveside service for Marla will be held Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM at Acacia Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 14951 Bothell Way NE, Seattle, WA 98155. A memorial service will occur Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, 14951 Bothell Way NE, Seattle, WA 98155. A reception will occur Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM, 14951 Bothell Way NE, Seattle, WA 98155.