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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Jacobs-Oaklund, Fay

Age 89


JACOBS
(OAKLUND), Fay

October 10, 1923 -
October 30, 2012

Fay was born in her parent’s ranch house in the sand hills of western Nebraska.

She was delivered by her father, Joseph E. Sherfey.

In addition to being a rancher, her father operated the Rackett, Nebraska general store and post office.

Fay lived on the ranch with five brothers and one sister.


Fay entered elementary school at the age of four.

She walked or rode a horse to the one-room school which was about a mile from home.

She attended high school in Oshkosh, Nebraska about 28 miles from home.

In Oshkosh, she boarded with a local family.

While attending high school she met Phil Jacobs.

The two fell in love and ultimately married in 1940.
There were few economic opportunities in Nebraska during those years so Phil and Fay decided to leave Nebraska.

They joined an auto caravan of Phil’s relatives traveling west to the state of Washington.

On arrival, Phil found work in and around the Chewelah and Spokane area.

They ultimately settled in Spokane’s north side where they raised their family of five boys and two girls.


Fay often worked various sales clerk jobs to help bring in extra cash at Christmas time.

Later, when the youngest child finally entered school she started working full time as a clerk in various drug stores.

She loved the work and especially the contact with people.

Fay has always a very social person.

She and Phil always had their house open to guests and Fay loved to invite everyone over to have a party.

Often Phil and Fay would go out dancing with friends.

Phil passed away at the age of 60 in 1981.


Four years later, Fay retired and started wintering with her sister, Fern, in Mesa, Arizona.

In Mesa, she met the second love of her life, Roy Oaklund, and they married in 1988.

Roy and Fay had 23 wonderful years together, spending summers in Nampa, Idaho and wintering in Mesa.

Roy ultimately passed away in 2011.
Fay had a rich fulfilling life with a large family and tons of friends.

She was devoted to her family, her religion and her friends.

She loved life.
Fay’s favorite charity was the Hope House, PO Box 550, Marsing, ID 83659, a non-profit Christian foster home for abandoned and disabled children.

Please support them in Fay’s memory if you wish.