Jane Jabs

Ida “Jane” Jabs, 95, Bismarck, ND, formerly of Devils Lake, ND, passed away on October 29, 2022, in the loving care of her family at Missouri Slope Nursing Home. Special thanks to Sanford Health Hospice for their care and support.

Jane was born on April 22, 1927, at Devils Lake, the daughter of Carl and Laura (Weed) Rype. She attended Bay School #1 in grade school and then attended Devils Lake Central High School. Her Dad would send the team of horses to the Bay School at the end of the school day by themselves where they would automatically stop at the school. Then Jane and her sister Doris would then drive them home. Sometimes they would also take their cousins Dorothy and Helen Mae Weed to their farm, which was close to the Rype farm.

The family moved to Tacoma, Washington, where Carl worked at a ship yard. Jane worked at a dime store and also at Brown & Haley Candy Factory. Jane came back to North Dakota for her sister Doris’ wedding and was then asked by Howard Jabs for her hand in marriage. The couple married on November 8, 1944. Howard would always bring her crocuses from the pasture on her birthday.

The couple had three children, Curtis, Duane, and Maryln. Tragedy struck the family on March 8, 1954, when a gasoline truck ran into the farm home. Jane and Maryln were blown out of the house in an explosion and Duane was lost in the house fire, and Curt was at school. Jane spent two months at Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake before being transferred by ambulance to the burn center in Rochester, Minnesota. She was treated there for 13 months and returned home in June 1955.

The couple built a new home on their rural Fort Totten farm where they lived until 1993 when they moved to Devils Lake. Jane was an active farm wife, but also started JM Ceramics shop in the basement of their home. She enjoyed the many women who came to her shop to do ceramics.

Jane was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. She enjoyed church circle and also quilting. Jane enjoyed vacations, playing cards, games, parties, and any opportunity to have fun with family and friends. Jane always found joy in her life and lived in a way that displayed her faith by being a gentle caring person. Many people loved her company and she always enjoyed having a good time, including Friday night Miller Time and Saturday morning Weed breakfasts in recent years.

Jane is survived by her son, Curtis (Linda) Jabs, Mandan, ND; daughter, Maryln (DuWayne) Miller, Devils Lake, ND; grandchildren: Rusty “Russ” (Kari) Wood, Jeremy (Geri) Wood, Kathy (Alan) Smith, Michelle (Rich) Mielke and Eric (Kelli) Jabs and 12 great grandchildren. She also has many nieces and nephews.

Jane was proceeded in death by her parents, husband Howard, son Duane, and sister Doris Borstad.

Visitation on Friday, November 4, 2022 at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake ND from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.  Funeral Services will be on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Reverend JoHanna Buchholz officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery.

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