Obituary of Merna Jacobs

Merna Loretta Jacobs, 91, of Hartley, Iowa, formerly of Sanborn, Iowa, passed away on October 21, 2014. Merna, the daughter of Otto and Pearl (Wells) Klatt, was born September 15, 1923 on a farm near Melvin, IA. She lived her youth in the Melvin vicinity and attended country school there. On November 3, 1943, Merna was united in marriage to Earl Elmer Jacobs. Together they farmed in the Hartley area where they raised their six children: David, Karen, Eileen, Marsha, Dwayne and Dwight. Having been raised on a farm, Merna and Earl made a good team. She was always busy either helping Earl, or cooking and caring for her growing family. Merna put those cooking talents to use on and off the farm. For several years, she created wonderful homemade pies for the Standard Café and Restaurant in Sanborn, IA, and prepared nutritious meals for the residents at the Prairie View Nursing Home also in Sanborn. She loved people, and over the years, enjoyed waitressing at Danceland in Hartley, the Standard Restaurant and the Pike Café both in Sanborn. Even with her busy schedule, Merna took the time to finish her rural education by obtaining her G.E.D. Merna belonged to Trinity United Church of Christ in Hartley where she had been a Dorcas member. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Melvin for over 30 years, and was a past-president of that group. In her spare time, she enjoyed quilting, sewing, playing cards, and of course, cooking! She passed from this life on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at the age of 91. She is survived by her children: David (Karen) Jacobs of Livingston, TX, Karen (Myron) Klaassen of Sanborn, IA, Eileen Jacobs of Las Vegas, NV, Marsha (Harvey) McClain of Harris, IA, Dwayne (Ruth) Jacobs of Grinnell, IA, and Dwight (Darla) Jacobs of Spirit Lake, IA; 16 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; brothers: Bill Klatt, John (Gwen) Klatt, Larry (Lois) Klatt; sisters: Betty (Richard) Schmidt, Kathryn Karlsen, Lola Yock and Ellen Ackerman. Merna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Earl, in 2006; siblings: James, Otto Jr., Thomas, and Anna Klatt.