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8/29 — Orchard pioneer leaves lasting family legacy
by Debra Neutkens
Staff Writer
The patriarch of Pine Tree Apple Orchards died Aug. 26.
Arthur W. Jacobson, 81, died peacefully last Tuesday at his beloved orchard home surrounded by the apple of his eye — his family.
He was a man who loved life and taking risks, said Bill Jacobson of his father. “He always had faith that things would turn out OK and that working hard would pay off.”
Jacobson’s legacy that is the family-run orchard in Dellwood began in 1958 when he and wife Dickie went out on a limb and bought 34 acres of apple trees. Today, all six of their children, four girls and two boys, are involved in the orchard. Bill, who is a White Bear Chamber of Commerce board advisor, is in charge of strawberry production and farming operations. Several grandchildren are employed full time, as well.
A St. Paul city boy, Art got his first taste of the apple business when he moved his in-laws to Washington State in the late 40s, according to Bill. He got a temporary job picking apples and realized he wanted to work outside.
By a twist of fate, when he returned to Minnesota, an employment agency told Art there was an opening for a foreman at a White Bear apple orchard. Eight years later, he and Dickie owned the business.
Next to family, Art loved land, Bill said. His genius was knowing development would inevitably encroach on their orchard and taking steps to lessen the impact.
“Dad thought, who better to develop the surrounding land than him? He took on tremendous debt to purchase and develop property around the orchard, but he managed to insulate the farm, keeping it as rural and picturesque as possible,” noted his son.
Today, the original orchard has grown to over 300 acres, including 90 acres of apple trees and 24 acres of strawberries.
Pine Tree became a firmly established destination in the northeast Metro by the early 1970s. A bakery opened in 1976 and strawberries were planted in 1982. A pumpkin patch is there for the picking and a corn maze attracts visitors every fall. A second orchard was also purchased in 1963 about 100 miles south near Preston, Minn., to spread disease and weather risks.
Just last fall the family was given the Spirit of White Bear Tourism Award, in part for drawing so many visitors to the area. When he accepted the award, Art said the Jacobsons are “one big family that loves working together and loves being in the community.”
Over the years, the orchard has employed many people from the area, from college students to senior citizens. Dick Hogan worked at Pine Tree in his 20s from 1987 to 1991.
Now a St. Louis Park resident, Hogan grew up in White Bear Lake and spent four summers working for Pine Tree. “It was a great place to work,” he recalled. “The entire family was very generous to the workers and the community. Art was a visionary who realized early on the need to diversify.”
The timing of his father’s death is almost a blessing, said Bill. Coming into the fall season it’s so busy at the orchard that it leaves less time to dwell on their loss.
Although he struggled with dementia the last five years, Art still drove the tractor just last year. And his last outing came two days before the opening of the State Fair. Family members took Art to his favorite Fair restaurant — The Peg — located next to the horticulture building. Pine Tree apple varieties are showcased in that building in the Minnesota Apples Inc. display at the fairgrounds.
Not one to crave the limelight, Art was someone who led by example and actions, added Bill. “He was a real supporter of local businesses and the fruit grower community.”
And his sense of humor was legendary. “He really knew how to read people. He was a real people person who loved to tell stories and jokes.”
Art and Dickie were married 60 years — they met on a blind date — and were partnered in the orchard as much as their marriage. Once the kids were old enough to run the business, they wintered in central Florida, but sold the winter house three years ago.
One of Art’s favorite sayings, said Bill, went like this: An apple a day will keep the doctor away, but two apples a day will keep the apple man in Florida all winter.
Art is survived by his wife, Dickey; and six children, Barb (John Cretzmeyer), Mary (Roger) Rengel, John (DeeDee), Bill (Denise), Nancy (Brad Bruette) and Jeanne (Matt Tierney); 11 grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial was Aug. 29 at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, White Bear Lake. Interment was private.
Memorials strongly encouraged to Minnesota Cystic Fibrosis Clinic, MMC 742, 420 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 or Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic, Children's Hospital Foundation, 2910 Centre Point Dr., Roseville, MN 55113. A major charity event for the orchard, the Tennis Classic has raised more than $3 million over the past 22 years for cancer research at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.
Debra Neutkens can be reached at 651-407-1230 or reporter@presspubs.com.
Arthur W. Jacobson, 81, died peacefully last Tuesday at his beloved orchard home surrounded by the apple of his eye — his family.
He was a man who loved life and taking risks, said Bill Jacobson of his father. “He always had faith that things would turn out OK and that working hard would pay off.”
Jacobson’s legacy that is the family-run orchard in Dellwood began in 1958 when he and wife Dickie went out on a limb and bought 34 acres of apple trees. Today, all six of their children, four girls and two boys, are involved in the orchard. Bill, who is a White Bear Chamber of Commerce board advisor, is in charge of strawberry production and farming operations. Several grandchildren are employed full time, as well.
A St. Paul city boy, Art got his first taste of the apple business when he moved his in-laws to Washington State in the late 40s, according to Bill. He got a temporary job picking apples and realized he wanted to work outside.
By a twist of fate, when he returned to Minnesota, an employment agency told Art there was an opening for a foreman at a White Bear apple orchard. Eight years later, he and Dickie owned the business.
Next to family, Art loved land, Bill said. His genius was knowing development would inevitably encroach on their orchard and taking steps to lessen the impact.
“Dad thought, who better to develop the surrounding land than him? He took on tremendous debt to purchase and develop property around the orchard, but he managed to insulate the farm, keeping it as rural and picturesque as possible,” noted his son.
Today, the original orchard has grown to over 300 acres, including 90 acres of apple trees and 24 acres of strawberries.
Pine Tree became a firmly established destination in the northeast Metro by the early 1970s. A bakery opened in 1976 and strawberries were planted in 1982. A pumpkin patch is there for the picking and a corn maze attracts visitors every fall. A second orchard was also purchased in 1963 about 100 miles south near Preston, Minn., to spread disease and weather risks.
Just last fall the family was given the Spirit of White Bear Tourism Award, in part for drawing so many visitors to the area. When he accepted the award, Art said the Jacobsons are “one big family that loves working together and loves being in the community.”
Over the years, the orchard has employed many people from the area, from college students to senior citizens. Dick Hogan worked at Pine Tree in his 20s from 1987 to 1991.
Now a St. Louis Park resident, Hogan grew up in White Bear Lake and spent four summers working for Pine Tree. “It was a great place to work,” he recalled. “The entire family was very generous to the workers and the community. Art was a visionary who realized early on the need to diversify.”
The timing of his father’s death is almost a blessing, said Bill. Coming into the fall season it’s so busy at the orchard that it leaves less time to dwell on their loss.
Although he struggled with dementia the last five years, Art still drove the tractor just last year. And his last outing came two days before the opening of the State Fair. Family members took Art to his favorite Fair restaurant — The Peg — located next to the horticulture building. Pine Tree apple varieties are showcased in that building in the Minnesota Apples Inc. display at the fairgrounds.
Not one to crave the limelight, Art was someone who led by example and actions, added Bill. “He was a real supporter of local businesses and the fruit grower community.”
And his sense of humor was legendary. “He really knew how to read people. He was a real people person who loved to tell stories and jokes.”
Art and Dickie were married 60 years — they met on a blind date — and were partnered in the orchard as much as their marriage. Once the kids were old enough to run the business, they wintered in central Florida, but sold the winter house three years ago.
One of Art’s favorite sayings, said Bill, went like this: An apple a day will keep the doctor away, but two apples a day will keep the apple man in Florida all winter.
Art is survived by his wife, Dickey; and six children, Barb (John Cretzmeyer), Mary (Roger) Rengel, John (DeeDee), Bill (Denise), Nancy (Brad Bruette) and Jeanne (Matt Tierney); 11 grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial was Aug. 29 at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, White Bear Lake. Interment was private.
Memorials strongly encouraged to Minnesota Cystic Fibrosis Clinic, MMC 742, 420 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 or Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic, Children's Hospital Foundation, 2910 Centre Point Dr., Roseville, MN 55113. A major charity event for the orchard, the Tennis Classic has raised more than $3 million over the past 22 years for cancer research at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.
Debra Neutkens can be reached at 651-407-1230 or reporter@presspubs.com.
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