Obituary | Alice "Dybe" Jacobs of Bowman, North Dakota | Krebsbach Funeral Service (2024)

Alice "Dybe" Jacobs, 96, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at the Southwest Healthcare Long Term Center in Bowman.

Mass of Christian Burial for Dybe will be on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at the St. Charles Catholic Church in Bowman. Fr. Ben Franchuk will celebrate the Mass with burial to follow in the Bowman Cemetery. There will be a Rosary and Vigil Service on Friday, December 9, 2022 at the St. Charles Catholic Church beginning at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will be on Friday, December 9, 2020 12-5 at the funeral home chapel and 6-9 at the St. Charles Catholic Church.

Dybe was born near the Hettinger/Slope county line to Annie and Soren Nielsen, Danish immigrants with a farm near New England. She went through many transitions in her 96 years – she was a farm kid, town kid, teacher, home maker, civic leader, retiree and nurse for Wally.

Dybe started school a year early, in an effort to help her family learn English. Dybe attended New England Public School, where she loved the singing roles in school performances, and was nicknamed “Dybe” in 8^th grade. Daily life consisted of farm chores, church activities and Saturday nights in town with her cousins. In 1944, Dybe received both her High School Diploma and her teaching certificate from Dickinson College. Her first job was teaching in rural Hettinger County schools. The blue bicycle she bought with her first paycheck was her only transportation and a prized possession. Earning $80/month was enough to treat herself to a fancy pair of shoes or a scarf once in a while. This is when she started dating Wally. Courtship was Saturday night dates and dancing; often with Wally’s many siblings tagging along.

In October 1947, Dybe married Wally Jacobs. They honeymooned on the West Coast, a place they would visit and vacation through the years. Dybe and Wally lived and worked on J.Q. Jacobs family farm (now known as the Heritage House), again with many of Wally’s siblings, until 1949 when the two of them plus Rita, settled in Slope County, where they farmed, ranched, milked cows, raised six children and served their community for 5 decades. Some of her happiest memories were putting each of her newly bathed babies to bed with a story and a prayer. Mom and Dad loved to go dancing with friends and we all remember their 50^th wedding anniversary dance.

In 1972, a traveling artist offered oil painting classes in Amidon. This was a pivotal event in Dybe’s life, granting a break from farm chores and an outlet for her creativity. Dozens of her paintings adorn the homes of her children and friends, and earned a ribbon or two at the county fair.

Food was Dybe’s love language. Whether it was coffee for a neighbor, a houseful after church, bridal showers or 20+ people for a holiday, she was happy planning, preparing and serving food. It earned her the role of “Mrs. Olsen” in a Folgers Coffee spoof at the Slope County Fair Show. Her caramel rolls, divinity, jelly roll and homemade bread were the best. Wally loved “snitching” warm sour cream chocolate cupcakes from the cooling rack. Dybe was a great gardener, serving meals where “not one thing on this table came from a store”. This passion followed she and Wally to town in retirement.

Dybe and Wally were pioneers: Dybe (and Wally) worked to build and enhance their community, long before “community” was a buzzword. Mom served on countless boards and committees including Homemakers, Altar Guild, 4-H, School Board, Slope County Fair Committees, and Prayer Circle. She and Wally were early adopters of no till farming and super early investors in ethanol, long before the term “green” became popular.

Dybe was a survivor. Her strong faith no doubt helped her live through the Great Depression, survive a tornado as a child, and become a 40-year breast cancer survivor. A horse kicked her, leaving the scar on her chin. Her legacy speaks of the excitement and happiness of V-Day, when the end of World War II was declared. In her lifetime she saw the arrival of many new technologies such as plastic, rural electricity, indoor plumbing, microwaves and computers.

Dybe faced another challenge as lead caregiver for Wally when his health deteriorated. She dedicated years to his care, achieving their goal of not having to move out of their house before he died. She got to a point that she was teaching newer nurses the care for Wally’s lungs.

Dybe will always be remembered for some of her famous “rules” – like do not butter the top of her caramel rolls. She ingrained values in her family. She was a fierce defender of an individuals’ worth, and quick critic of overblown egos. She never waivered from holding people accountable, but never let a stranger or child feel unwelcome.

Although we are saddened to lose our touch stone, we know she is elated to join Wally. Some of Wally’s last words were ”I am not afraid to go, I am just sad to leave Dybe. You kids will need to take over loving her. I am sure you know by now, she is easy to love”.

Special thank you to the Southwest Healthcare staff for years of care.

Preceded in death by:

Husband Wallace Anton Jacobs

Parents Annie (Kristina Nielsen) and Soren Nelsen

Siblings Audrey Ellen Latham and Roy Dybdal “R.D.” Nelson

Grandchildren Daniel Wade Lambourn

Survived by:

Daughter Rita Lambourn (Jerry) in Bowman, ND, granddaughter Carmen (Tim Paulson) and great grandson Cole Paulson in White, SD.

Son Morris Roy Jacobs, grandchildren Alicia (Zac) in Denver, Levi (Brianna) great grandchildren Mac and Juliette in Englewood CO, Alex also in Englewood CO, and Pete (Cassandra) Jacobs, great grandchildren Eliana, Bella and Colton Antoine Jacobs in Yuma AZ.

Daughter Brenda Jean Lindemann (Randy) and grandsons Lucas and Joseph Lindemann in Minneapolis, MN

Son Loren James Jacobs and his wife Michelle live in the Minneapolis area and have 2 daughters. Josie is studying to be a teacher in Eu Claire WI, and Jena lives and works in Charleston SC.

Son Clinton David Jacobs (Jodee), grandchildren Dylan, Druanna (Jordan) great granddaughter Astrid McCoy, Brooke and Ryder Jacobs in Dickinson, ND

Son Lester Dybdal Jacobs (Alicia), grandchildren Shayla, Piper and Aspen Jacobs in Spearfish, SD.

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