Wallace "Wally" F. Jakob

Wally Jakob peacefully entered the kingdom of heaven, Monday, May 19, 2014 with his family at his side at Howard County Medical Center, St. Paul, NE.



Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Grand Island with the Reverend Jack Gillam officiating. Burial will be in Grand Island Cemetery. Visitation hours will be 5-7 p.m., Monday, May 26, 2014 at Apfel Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church, Trinity Lutheran School, Grand Island YMCA Swimming Pool. Apfel Funeral Home is caring for the family.



Wally was born September 14, 1926 in Scribner, Nebraska the son of August & Alma (Borcher) Jakob. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. His family moved to Grand Island in 1935 and he graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 1944 where he served as Senior Class president. After graduation, Wally enlisted in the United States Navy, March 20, 1944 and entered the Naval Air Corp program during which time he attended Doane College and Valpariso University in preparation for duty. He was honorably discharged July 17, 1946.



He married Betty Sorgenfrei on April 3, 1949 and last month, they celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary with a family dinner.



Wally was employed by the Bureau of Reclamation since the early 1950s and he and Betty were transferred and traveled to many locations during that time. They returned to Grand Island in 1961 where he retired from the Bureau in 1981. He began his second career with the Grand Island Parks and Recreation Department in 1983, assisting with the building of the Heritage Zoo and maintenance of the childrens wading pools for all of Grand Island City Parks until he retired in 2007. He and Betty continued to live in Grand Island until 2011 when they moved to Matelyn Retirement Community in St. Paul, Nebraska.



He had two daughters, Melanie and Su, who gave him the greatest lights of his life, Kalie and Kasey. He was known as Boompa to them and was the most loving grandfather they could have had. Their memories together will always be cherished and celebrated.



Wally served in many organizations during his life. These included NARFE, Central Nebraska Humane Society, Midwestern AAU, Trinity Lutheran Church and School Board, YMCA Board President, NSAA Lifetime Service Award and Grand Island Coaches Association



He was always glad to give of his time and energy for anyone who needed him.



Wally is survived by his wife of 65 years, Betty, daughters and their husbands, Melanie & Mike Horky of St. Paul and Su & Ken Moffett of Grand Island, a granddaughter, Kalie Horky, of St. Paul and a grandson, Kasey Moffett and his wife, Chelsea of Grand Island, along with several nieces and nephews.



He was preceded in death by his parents, August & Alma Jakob and his sister, Carolyn Bills.