Jacqueline "Jackie" K. (Larson) Vacek

Jacqueline “Jackie” Vacek, age 75, of Starbuck, formerly Glenwood, died peacefully with family by her side, on Sunday April 12, 2026, at Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 17th at Glenwood Lutheran Church with Rev Krista Lee officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. on Thursday at the funeral home and will resume on Friday morning at the church, one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Pine Ridge Cemetery at Pine River, MN. Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood.

Jacqueline Kaye “Jackie” Vacek was born on May 15, 1950, in Red Wing, Minnesota, to Orville and Rose Ann (Illies) Larson. Jackie was the oldest of three children. After her birth, her family lived in California for a few years before settling in Zumbrota, then Saint Louis Park for three years and later Alexandria. She attended school in Zumbrota and Alexandria and graduated from Jefferson High School in Alexandria. She continued her education at Alexandria Technical College, where she earned her LPN certificate.

Jackie was united in marriage to Seldon Formo in May of 1968. This marriage was blessed with three children, Scott, Jeff and Sharon. Jackie and Seldon later divorced.

Jackie later met Donald Vacek and the two were united in marriage on April 30, 1976, in Sisseton, South Dakota. Don, father to Brian and Paul, joined lives with Jackie to build a nurturing home for their combined families in Glenwood. As a couple they dedicated themselves to a life centered on hard work, family unity, and active community engagement. Following a brief move to Superior, WI, they returned to the Glenwood area where they made their permanent home. Jackie worked as an LPN at Glenwood Retirement Village for many years, where her compassion and steady presence touched the lives of countless residents, families, and coworkers.

For several years, Jackie was active with the Glenwood Chamber of Commerce “Welcome to Glenwood Committee” and during those years she also brought joy to many by playing Mrs. Claus for the Magical Christmas in Glenwood. She had a big heart and a smile that could brighten any room. Jackie especially loved her children and grandchildren, and she took great pride in being present for their lives, their milestones, and their accomplishments. She was known for her strength, determination, and the way she never gave up, no matter what challenges came her way.

Jackie enjoyed painting ceramics, collecting roosters and apples, gardening, fishing, and crocheting. She treasured time spent at Lake Miltona with her brothers and parents. She also enjoyed traveling, especially trips to the North Shore with her husband, Don, and she never turned down a Coca-Cola. Her interests reflected the simple joys she found in life and the love she poured into the people and places around her. When she needed help with her daily care she moved into Glacial Trails Memory Care in Starbuck. She died on Sunday, April 12, 2026 surrounded by her family at the Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood.

Jackie is survived by her husband, Don Vacek; children, Scott Formo, Jeff (Nadine) Formo, and Sharon (Jeremy) Friedrichs; step-sons, Brian Vacek and Paul (Lisa) Vacek; grandchildren, Coty (Breanna) Friedrichs, Anthony (Naomi) Formo, Brett (Steph) Formo, J.R. (Alexis) Formo, Caleb (Kassy) Formo, Dalton Friedrichs, Jade Vacek, and Autumn (Emilio) Vacek; great-grandchildren, Aubree, Blair, Lincoln, Ellie, Jett, Levi, June, Ames, Ryatt and Irelynn; brothers, Raymond (Shelly) Larson and Mark (Linda) Larson; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her mother and father-in-law, Eugene and Doris Vacek.

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