Obituary: Jacobsen, Wava
Age 84
Between those dates was a life filled with love and laughter, good times and traveling.
A small-town girl born to Alice and Cal Hammack, Wava grew up in Woodbine, Iowa.
She was working as a telephone operator in 1950 when she married the love of her life, Ronald (who preceded her in death last March) and began an adventure of over 62 years together.
She is survived by her three children, five grandchildren, one great-grandchild and three brothers.
She passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by family, just as she wanted.
Wava was a proud Navy wife and spent long stretches as a single parent, raising their children while Ron was on deployment, often for six to ten months at a time.
They crisscrossed the country, making a home in 12 different cities during the first 22 years of their marriage.
She turned every transfer into an exciting adventure for their three children, and made lifelong friendships everywhere she lived.
Wava was a league bowler for 47 years, often serving as the league secretary.
She was an active member of Christ Lutheran and Advent Lutheran for 41 years and enjoyed singing in the choir.
She and Ron served on the committee that sent medical supplies to the church-supported Masai medical clinic in Africa.
She was a member of the Happy Quilters, making and sending quilts to Lutheran World Relief for distribution to refugees around the world.
After Ron and Wava fully retired they continued to travel, visiting family and old friends as often as they could.
When their RV wouldn’t take them where they wanted to go, they took a cruise ship to Alaska or flew to Hawaii.
On a trip to Las Vegas last year at the age of 83 she was introduced to zip-lining.
Her only complaint was that it was too short.
A few months later on a trip to Hawaii she took a three hour zip-line excursion.
As she zipped out across a gorge with her brother, her laughter could be heard over the sound of the blowing wind.
Memorial service at Advent Lutheran Church, 13009 E. Broadway Ave., Spokane Valley, September 3 at 10:00 AM.