Gladys Jakobsen, 82, of Bismarck, passed away on March 7, 2023 at Sanford Health, Bismarck.
A private family graveside service will take place in the spring.
I am the thirteenth child born on March 12, 1940, to Helen and Jacob Wohl of Linton, N.D. I lived in a very small house. I slept in the middle, but never at the foot end of the bed. I was loved beyond measure.
The smells from the kitchen included chokecherry jelly, and homemade bread fresh from the oven. Meals of knoephla, strudels and cheese buttons were always enjoyed by the family.
Evenings were spent listening to the “Creaking Door” and the “Lone Ranger” while Mama rocked in her favorite rocking chair. I would play by her feet with my dolls and shoebox house filled with plastic doll furniture.
Sunday’s meant Sunday school and always church services later. Easter Sunday was a proud day for me to show off my new dress, hat and shoes for sunrise services. Mom always preached, forgive 70 times 7, even before I could count that far.
Vacations to Washington and Oregon usually meant a 3-day train ride with Mom, and lots and lots of shopping with my sisters.
Friday nights were spent at the movies with Mom and Dad, and then as a teenager with girlfriends and boyfriends.
I remember Mama bringing in frozen clothes from the line and oh, they smelled so good. On chilly winter nights a hot water bottle was a necessity on a trip to the outhouse. Once back in the house I would head to the coal stove to warm my feet. Water was always kept warm in the reservoir of the stove, waiting for hot chocolate to heat.
When my brother would find a new batch of kittens in the barn that always meant new playmates for me. Even though I grew up on the farm I was always afraid of reaching under the hen to gather eggs. I was also afraid of watching the gate for dad while he moved the cattle and would run away at the last minute. Most of the time when I would try to “help” I was just in his way, thankfully I could run faster than my dad who never really appreciated my help.
My dad was so disappointed when he bought me a pony to help him bring the cows home. I was scared to death of the pony, even though it would lay down to let me get on its back.
After a warm summer thunderstorm I loved running barefoot through the soft squishy mud and would sail paper boats down the creek with the neighbor boy.
As I was watching a high school basketball game, Chuck Gimbel saw me in the stands, we fell in love at first sight. We got married in 1959. Together we had one daughter, Torchy.
We owned and worked together at the service station in Hazelton, ND for many years.
Later, I moved to Bismarck and married Neil Jakobsen. We enjoyed soaking up the sun on our deck while drinking coffee and going on our evening walks.
I loved and enjoyed life; it was a voyage that was homeward bound.
Gladys is survived by her daughter, Torchy (Dean) Weiss and their children, Mirysta Reamann, Cassidy (Jesse) Kitzan, and Evan (Kaitlin) Weiss; four great grandchildren; and a sister, Viola Kelsch.
She is preceded in death by her two husbands; her parents; four brothers; and seven sisters.