courtesy of the Murdoch Funeral Home and Cremation Service

Cedar Rapids --- Ronald G. "Jake" Jacobs passed away at home on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016; and Karen L. Jacobs passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Visitation: 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 26, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. Services will follow. Burial: First Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Marengo, immediately following services.

Karen and Ron are survived by Karen's sister, Deborah (John) Honeycutt; nieces and nephews, Curt (Amy) Bean, Lori Kelchen (Jeff Taylor), Craig (Alicia) Bean, Kelli (Chris) Storey, Michele (Brian) Cariveau, Wayne, Michael, Ricky, Rodney, Brandon, Travis and Katherine Jacobs, Julia (Steve) Lewis, Barbara Boots and Rhonda Eveland; their families' in-laws, Doris Jacobs, Linda Jacobs, Thelma Jacobs and Walt Eveland; numerous great- and great-great-nieces and nephews; and special friends, Judy Everett, John (Sue) Everett, Vickie Foubert, Sue Humphrey and Dave and Mary Jayne.

They were preceded in death by their parents; Ron's brothers, Russell, Raymond and Richard Jacobs; and sister, Vera Eveland.

Ron was born on Oct. 1, 1939, to Forest and Della Jacobs. Karen was born on April 15, 1939, to Hector and Ruby Fatland. They married on Jan. 29, 1960. Ron and Karen were lifelong residents of Cedar Rapids. Ron worked for the city for many years then out of Carpenters Local 308, from where he retired. Karen retired from St. Luke's Hospital after 30-plus years as a patient care tech.

Ron was a cowboy from head to boot participating in horse shows and rodeos over the years, bringing home plenty of ribbons and trophies. He and Karen also loved trail riding, camping and fishing with friends and family. Shooting pool and playing cards were also pastimes Ron really enjoyed.

He was always up for teaching the nieces and nephews how to play, no matter how young. They also loved making enormous pancakes and having pillow fights. He was a quiet man with a great sense of humor and a tender heart under that cowboy toughness.

Karen was masterful at her crafts and baking. Everything she knitted, crocheted, sewed, painted, molded, decorated, wrapped or baked was done to perfection. She loved her romance novels, black and white movies if she ever got to watch them (Ron was all about the Westerns), and loved visiting with her friends and family taking them to movies and birthday shopping. Karen also had a great sense of humor and was a very generous person. She was always willing to lend a hand. Both of them had a great knack for choosing the best pets and loved each one of them dearly.

They left their own special mark on anyone who knew them and will be greatly missed.

Memorials may be directed to the family or sent to a charitable organization of your choice.