Walter P. Jacobs, 88, formerly of New England, died Friday, January 11, 2013 at his home in Dickinson, with his family at his side. Walt’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Friday, January 18, 2013 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, New England, with Fr. Charles Heidt as the celebrant and Fr. Biju Chitteth as the con-celebrant, and assisted by Deacon Don Gion. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, with military honors provided by the New England American Legion, Anton Ulijohn Post 66. Visitation will be at Ladbury Funeral Service, on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a rosary & vigil at 7 p.m., with Deacon Victor Dvorak presiding. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.
Walter Phillip Jacobs and his twin brother Wallace were born November 26, 1924 near Regent, the son of JQ and Violet (Davison) Jacobs. He grew up on the family farm, the 5 of 11 children. He attended St. Mary’s school in New England and after graduation in 1943, joined the Army. He served in WWII as a Combat Engineer in 260th Battalion in Europe. He survived the Battle of the Bulge, and returned to marry his high school sweetheart, Lu Maixner in 1946. The couple settled on a farm in Slope County southeast of Amidon and proceeded to raise a family of 10 children. They retired to New England eventually settling in the Maixner family home on Mckenzie Ave.
Walter was always involved with his church, family, and community. He participated in Knights of Columbus, American Legion, 40 et 8, ND Farmer’s Union, Senior Citizens Club, Hettinger Co Historical Society, VFW, as well as ND Democratic Party. His joy for life was expressed in all that he did: singing, sketching, hunting, fishing, entertaining, visiting and helping neighbors.
He was a riveting storyteller, whose cadence and irreverent humor entertained friends and strangers alike. His weekly column in the Hettinger County Herald, Around the Pot, recorded many of these stories, reflecting on life in the early part of the century through the current ups and downs of rural American life. He was also a gifted artist, noted for his rustic sketches.
In 2012, he lost his beloved wife Lu, then moved to Hawk’s Point in Dickinson. He died there of natural causes on January 11, 2013 surrounded and cared for by his family.
He is survived by nine children, Barbara Danks, Dickinson, Adrian Jacobs, Bismarck, Vidette (Tom) Schillo, Golva, Brian (Deb) Jacobs, Bismarck, Sherry (Bernie) Gieser, Park City, Mont., Sandra Majhor, Minnetonka, Minn., Cynthia (Kim) Bozekowski, Littleton, Colo., Bradley (Tess) Jacobs, New England, and Jason (Lisa) Jacobs, Dickinson; 29 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren; seven siblings, Gerald Jacobs, Francis Wilhelm, Irene Gion, LeRoy Jacobs, Lenard Jacobs, Alton Jacobs, and Quirina Schmidt. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, one son, Bruce, twin brother Wallace, sisters Leona and Toni.
