Armin B. Jacobs (1926-2021)

JA COBS, BEHRENDS, FASS, TOWNSEND

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/16/2021 at 08:46:13

ARMIN BEHRENDS JACOBS

Monticello

We are saddened to announce the passing of Armin Behrends Jacobs, better known in Jones County as "Jake" on Saturday morning, Aug. 14, 2021, at the Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Monticello, with interment in the Oakwood Cemetery, with military honors. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello. The family request mask's to be worn at all times for visitation and the funeral service. Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at goettsch online.com under Jake's page.

Surviving is his wife, Betty; daughter, Arminda (Elton) Townsend, Greeley, Colo.; a grandson, Dylan (Beth Mitchusson) Townsend, Greeley, Colo.; step-grandson, Marc Townsend, two step-great-grandsons, Jason and Justin, all of Broomfield, Colo.; and two sisters-in-law, Gladys Tholen and daughters, Cynthia and Deb, Marian (Matthew) Raio and daughters, Diane and Linda.

Preceding Armin in his heavenly journey were his parents; in-laws, Albert and Marie Fass, Patricia Fass, Duane Tholen; and nephew, David Hinrichs.

Armin was born May 29, 1926, to Henry W. and Sophia (Behrends) Jacobs in Monticello, Iowa. He was baptized at St. John Lutheran Church (Sandhill) on July 1, 1926, and confirmed his faith at St. Matthew Lutheran Church on April 6, 1941. On Oct. 3, 1953, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Armin married Betty Jane Fass. They were blessed with one child Arminda Eileen in 1954.

Armin attended the Monticello Community Schools and graduated in 1944. After graduation, he joined his aunt and uncle, John and Emma Jacobs as a truck driver. This job was cut short by being drafted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on May 3, 1946. As a member of the 13th Army Air Corp, he served from September 1946 to September of 1947 at the Manila Air Base in the Philippines. After his discharge, he returned to his truck driving job with his aunt and uncle. He also drove a school bus from 1948 until 1952. He began another career working at McLaughlin Buick from 1950 until 1961. On Feb. 20, 1961, he purchased what would be his life-long business, Jake's Standard/Amoco and Jake's ROBO car wash. He sold the businesses on Dec. 31, 1992.

His love of flying became serious at the age of 58 when he began pilot training. He received his pilot license in 1987 and bought his Cessna 182---N2654R and began flying as often as possible, then earned his instrument rating a few years later. He loved flying with Betty, Elton, Dylan and Arminda. Betty accompanied him on a number of cross-country flights. He loved flying so much that he researched and decided to build his own plane at the age of 75. He purchased a kit from Van's Aircraft in 2001, then constructed and assembled and RV-9A experimental aircraft……N26AJ. His first flight in this plane was on Nov. 30, 2005.

Armin and Betty were deeply devoted to their community and volunteered for multiple organizations. In the late 1950s, as president of the Monticello Conservation League, he was instrumental in establishing the Jones County Conservation Board. In 1975 Armin and Betty donated 2 1/2 acres to the city for "Jacobs Park." From 1993 until 1998 with the Monticello Pilots Association and the API they toured elementary schools with a flight simulator. As volunteer through the EAA, Armin gave 150 young Eagles their first airplane ride in his personal 182 Cessna Aircraft. Armin served on the Monticello Airport Board for 20 years. He sponsored and participated in a bowling league for 30 years, and golfed in the Wednesday men's league until the age of 91. From 2010 until 2014, he volunteered at the food pantry. He kept the sidewalks shoveled and cleared the parking lot at St. Matthew Lutheran Church for 20 years. Along the way Armin found time to donate 80 pints (10 Gallons) of blood, by the age of 83, to the Red Cross. He and Betty also walked a mile or two every day.

Family time was a significant part of Armin's life. He and Betty traveled the world with Elton, Arminda and Dylan. Trips to Mexico, the inland passage cruise to Alaska, time in Lake Tahoe, the Oshkosh Air Venture with Dylan, Oshkosh with Betty and Dylan (both trips sleeping in Dylan's tent), a gathering in Dallas, and countless Thanksgivings and Christmases in either Iowa or Colorado. A truly devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be greatly missed by all his family and friends. His memory will remain in the hearts of his loved ones forever. Enjoy your final flight to the pearly gates Jake.