Josephine Marie Jacobs

On July 8, 2025, the Lord decided to take our beautiful mother, Jo, home to heaven. She passed away peacefully and had an opportunity to visit with family before her passing. She was born at home over a hundred years ago in Addy, Washington, and was one of 11 children. During most of her early years, she and her family lived in the Lewiston and Lapwai areas. Later, they moved to Spokane, where she finished her senior year at Rogers high school. Then off to work she went at the Paulson building, as an elevator operator. Mom loved that job. She would tell her elevator stories to anyone who would listen, again. The war ended, her elevator career ended, and soon after, she and Dad were married. Before moving to Grangeville, they spent many years living on the family farm in the Lapwai area. There, Mom gardened, canned, took care of animals, fed harvest crews and did whatever needed to be done, while maintaining a cozy home. She was a strong, competent woman who simply got things done.

Mom was a treasured wife of 72 years, parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, sister, aunt, and friend. You could always count on her bright smile and twinkling big blue eyes to greet you, along with a big hug. Her sense of humor was sharp and hilarious right to the very end of her 100 years. We all loved to tease her, and she loved to tease us back. We will miss her laugh, her warm embraces and hearing her say, "I love you".

Mama Jo had many occupations; elevator operator, as mentioned before, in Spokane; bank teller, para-educator for disabled children, and the co-owner of the Jacobs Oil Company, in Grangeville, Idaho. While she worked at the family business, she was the bookkeeper and managed the office for most of our teenage years. But, most of all, she was a mom. She was the finest mother that a child could ask for. She loved her children beyond measure and provided a wonderful and nurturing home, with a whole lot of fun mixed in. Playing cards and board games, camping, fishing, boating and later, golfing, were just a few things we did together a lot. She treasured being a mom and she felt that was her greatest accomplishment. (Of course, there were the two hole in ones, when she golfed regularly, that were pretty great, as well.) Mom set a high bar for her children when we became parents. She was a mom who loved without condition, guided us spiritually with strength and courage, listened without judgement and dedicated her life to our Lord and to our family. We will always be forever grateful for her constant and steadfast love, and the amazing example she set for us and for all who knew her.

Jo is preceded in death by her husband, Warren Jacobs and her grandson, Tom Jacobs. She is survived by her son, William Jacobs, (Ruth); daughter, Kathy Christiansen, (Cliff); granddaughter, Annie Whitlock, (Kirk); grandson, Adam Christiansen, (Heather); grandson, Jeff Christiansen; Tiffany Jacobs, (Tom), and nine great-grandchildren. We will hold her forever in our hearts.