Bernard Alexander Jacob

Bernard Alexander Jacob, 96, proud lifetime resident of Aberdeen and World War II Veteran, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Sunday, December 29, 2019, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen. 

His funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 3, 2020, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 409 2nd Avenue NE, Aberdeen, with Father Michael Griffin officiating.

Interment, with military rites, will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Aberdeen.  A continuation of the celebration of Bernard’s life will follow the interment at Schwan’s Recreation in Aberdeen.  

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.  

Family and friends may sign Bernard’s online guestbook and also view his service via the live stream service link at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Thursday, at the mortuary, with a liturgical wake service beginning at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation continues one hour before the service at the church on Friday.

Bernard Alexander Jacob was born May 27, 1923, to Gregory and Helena (Ochs) Jacob.  He was the second oldest of six siblings.  Bernard was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  His Catholic faith grew as he attended St. Mary’s Parochial School.  Bernard was a graduate of Aberdeen Central High School.

Bernard was drafted into the United States Navy and entered active duty on 18 JUN 1943.  He completed Basic Training at USNTS Farragut, Idaho and was assigned to the USS YORKTOWN (CV-10) as a Machinist Mate (MM) crewmember serving under Admirals Spruance and Halsey within the battle group.  As part of the “Greatest Generation” he participated in 11 Major Operations and 40 offensive attacks against Japanese Imperial Forces which resulted in earning 11 Battle Stars, dropping anchor in Tokyo Bay and claiming occupation on 15 AUG 1945.  MM3 Jacob was awarded the following medals and ribbons:  Presidential Unit Citation, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, Philippines Liberation Medal and the Saipan Medal from the Mariana Islands.  

Upon returning from his Honorable Discharge on 10 DEC 1945, Bernard worked with his father in construction and digging basements with a team of horses.  He met the love of his life at the Doodle Bug, Mabel Burrer from Eureka, SD.  They were married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on October 7, 1948.  To this blessed union, three children were born.  Together they enjoyed dancing, bowling, playing cards, traveling, friends and family time.

Bernard was employed by the Milwaukee Railroad for 38 years and retired from Burlington Northern.  Retirement was not for him.  He started working with Dutenhoffer Construction Company and waited anxiously for his next job site assignment.

Bernard’s passion since 1980 has been “Centennial Village” at the Brown County Fairgrounds, where he opened the Harness Shop with his father’s harnesses.  He spent numerous hours throughout the village preparing for fairgoers to enjoy and greeted them eagerly at the entrance gate. 

Bernard was a lifetime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Knights of Columbus, and the Moose Lodge.  He was also the oldest “Honorary” Schwan’s Recreation member.

Church, family time, and holidays were important to Bernard.  Around the table he often reminisced about the “hard times” growing up.  Home was a special place and he was a bit stubborn in that he wanted his birthday celebration to last a week and that Brown County Fairs were family reunions.  Bernard loved “old time” music and the kitchen floor was often used as a dance floor.  Family activities included playing cards (which turned into marathons), planting flowers and gardening every spring.  He also enjoyed watching the Minnesota Vikings, Timberwolves, and Twins.  Bernard loved decorating for Christmas and the 4th of July, and lighting off fireworks.  He looked forward to the fall for hunting and fishing with his son, family, and friends. 

Bernie “Lou” lived his life simply, a heart filled with love, dedicated to God, his loving wife of 71 years, his family, grandchildren, and hard work and labor.  We celebrate you Dad and a long and well-lived life.  Your perseverance is our inspiration.

Bernard is survived by his wife, Mabel Jacob of Aberdeen; his children, Peggy (Bill) Trankle of Rapid City, SD, Patricia (Kyle) Hesby of West Fargo, ND, Commander Paul B. “Jake” Jacob, USN, Ret. of Aberdeen; grandchildren:  Derek Jacob Hesby and Alexander William Hesby of Fargo, ND and Dallas Gregory Jacob of Houston, TX; his sisters:  Regina Markel of North Hills, CA and Frances Mueller of Surprise, AZ.

Greeting him are his parents, Gregory and Helena; his brothers, Albert and James; and his sister, Anna Marie Pudwill. 

Pallbearers will be:  Commander Paul B. “Jake” Jacob, USN, Ret., Colonel Jay DesCamps, USA, Ret., Delbert Dutenhoffer, Mike Dutenhoffer, Joe Bauer and Jeff DesCamps.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Bernard’s grandsons:  Derek Jacob Hesby, Alexander William Hesby and Dallas Gregory Jacob. 

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