Obituary: Erwert, Jacob Simon
Age 85
Jakie, his Mama called him, spoke often about farm life (milking cows at 5AM, the family’s combined efforts, life in the depression), being quiet in line (he’d experienced a recent junior high release and was shocked), working hard (required, normal), always earning your way.
Lately, we talked about the lessons learned in life, re: family, politics, aging, and Staying Calm while the Room is in Motion….
He leaves behind a brother Bill; three stepchildren, Alan, Edith and Jan; a son, Clair Erwert; daughter Karen Erwert; three grandchildren, Ethan, Brenna and Izaak and two great-grandchildren Corin and Kason; his son-in-law, Bob, called him the Pilot.
Jake wrote home every week of his mother’s life after leaving home, settling in Spokane.
Working for SP&S Railroad as brakeman/conductor, he became a UTU rep when Burlington Northern merged.
Jake spent a total of 42 years riding the rails.
He never bounced a check.
He liked to laugh, convincing us that he was a cook on a wagon train until age seven…loved a good shoot ‘em up.
He traveled with his wife, Phyllis, played some golf and felt lucky to wake up each day.
He enjoyed his nephews Richard, Jimmy, Joe (Wayne) and Mike.
Thank you guys for keeping in touch.
Jake hoped for the best in our country, the world, in each of us.
He has been alarmed at the turn in government(s), the ugliness and dishonesty in politics.
Born at the start of the Depression, the way was to help one another, as we’re all in this together.
The Warmongers are anathema.
The last letter he wrote was to Rachel Maddow at MSNBC and I have notes for to Ed Shultz… Jake wanted us to be better…Kindness.
Term Limits.
Contribution Limitations.
Accountability.
Listening.
Critical Thinking.
Honesty.
Decency, The Golden Rule Especially.
He supported our POTUS and hoped for all of us to embrace a better future.
Good thoughts, good man.