Obituary of Patricia Jacob

Patricia Ann Jacob

Patricia Ann Jacob (nee Skrove) passed to her heavenly home on May 17, 2023, peacefully surrounded by her friends and family, following a brief illness. She was born in Fargo, North Dakota on January 7, 1939, where she was raised on a farm. She grew up milking cows and helping with all farm chores. The very best of which was raising and caring for a large family cats which fostered a lifelong adoration of kitties. Pat was the second child of Julia and Harold Skrove, James (Bud) being ten years older and Sandra (Sondy) three years younger. Pat and Sondy grew up in close harmony and remained best friends throughout their lives. The sisters attended a one room schoolhouse a half mile from home.

During her childhood, she was lovingly known as Patty Ann.

Pat was a devout Lutheran, attending St. John’s Lutheran Church, in North Dakota, where she was baptized and confirmed and served as their organist. During her childhood, she played girl’s basketball and was a cheerleader for the Horace Mustangs. She lived a full and fun adolescence with 25 cent Coca- Cola’s, hayrides and 50 cent roller skating every Friday night. She met Marlen Walberg while roller skating and they were married on June 9, 1956. Shortly after Pat graduated from high school. They made their home in Fargo, North Dakota, where sons Wallace James Walberg was born on December 24, 1956, Ricky Lee Walberg was born on April 23, 1958, and David Marlen Walberg was born on July 13, 1962. They were all born at St. John’s Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota like Pat and her sister.

In 1968, the family moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, their happy place, a destination that they had selected from their camping travels. Marlen soon opened a Texaco Gas Station and went into the tire business, thereafter, opening and running Marlen’s Tire Service and a retread shop. They joined the congregation at Trinity Lutheran Church where Pat was active in circle and bible study. Pat raised their three sons and worked as a bookkeeper for the business, devoting much of her time to her elderly parent’s, her young family’s and the business’s needs.

In 1986 her husband, Marlen Walberg was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It was devastating time, but Pat’s sister, children and grandchildren Brenda, Misty, Amanda and Joshua helped to fill her heart and carry her through her grief. Pat cared for Marlen with tenderness and love but after a brief and valiant battle, he passed away in the spring of 1987. Pat devotedly cared for him during his illness, and following his death was compelled to obtain a nursing degree. She graduated in 1990 and used all of her incredible heart, genuine selflessness and caring spirit to provide gentle and compassionate home care for immeasurable patients during the rest of her working career.

On July 21, 1990, Pat remarried Reid Jacob at Trinity Lutheran Church. She and Reid Jacob established their home in Fort Collins and eventually moved to a beautiful and peaceful home in Bellevue, Colorado and established a winter home in Green Valley, Arizona. They enjoyed decades of quality companionship, R-Ving across the US, Mexico and Canada, car shows, holding hands, travelling, dancing, hiking, birding, reading, love and raising a village of kitties. She loved him so deeply and richly. He was her anchor in the universe.

Pat and Reid joined the congregation at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, in Fort Collins, Colorado where they were fortunate enough to befriend and be guided by Pastor Jennifer Moser. Pastor Moser quickly became an important and valued piece of their lives.