Jacob Loeb

Jacob (Jake) Loeb, 89, Bismarck, rode off into the sunset to join the Lord on Friday, October 13, 2017.  He died peacefully at home with his two loving daughters and their husbands at his side.

Jacob was born on January 4, 1928, on the family farm near Raleigh, ND. He was one of ten children born to Alex and Rufina (Ternes) Loeb.  He attended grade school and high school in Raleigh.  Jake sold skunks for 25 cents to buy boxing gloves which he used as a Golden Gloves boxer in the Raleigh area. His horse Mabel was his pride and joy. Jake broke many horses in the neighborhood that others thought were unbreakable.  He was a pitcher for the St Gertrudes Cubs baseball team.  Jake met the love of his life, Helen Harsche, at a dance, where she swept him off his feet.  They were married on June 30, 1952 in Shields, ND, and then moved to Bismarck.  For most of his career, Jake worked for Roy H. Dietz Painting, who was the “best darn boss ever.” Jake loved playing the harmonica, and was a member of the Bismarck Horseshoe Club. He thoroughly enjoyed playing pinochle and whist. Jake and Helen spent most of their spare time camping, boating and fishing with family and friends, and touring the country in their motorhome, well into their 80s.   He especially enjoyed bird hunting with his son-in-law Oryn, and shot his last bird on his homestead land at the age of 88.

Blessed to have shared his life are his two daughters: Anita (Mark) Neels and Marilyn (Oryn) Wagner; 5 grandchildren: Andrea (Jimmy) Cunningham, Aaron (Hollie) Matties, Cole Delmore, Tana (Travis) Sukauskas, and Chad (Jamie) Wagner; 11 great-grandchildren: Brandon, Lucas, Seth, McKenna, Haley, Lila, Grayson, Estella, May, Ted and Cate; and 1 great-great grandson, James; and 3 step-grandchildren: Christopher, Jessica and Dalyce.  Jake leaves his brother Sam Loeb; his sisters Amelia Zimmerman, Agnes Fischbach, Irene Reiger and Angie Kopp.

Jake was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Helen, who passed on February 13, 2015; his parents, Alex and Rufina Loeb; his brothers, Edmund, Teanus and Ralph; and his sister Frances Beal.

The family extends a special thank you to CHI St. A’s Hospice Andrea, Lori, Jasmine and JoAnn for the compassion and loving care given to Jake and his family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to CHI St Alexius Health at Home and Hospice.