Melva Jakoubek

MELVA ANN JAKOUBEK

Fairfax

Melva Ann Jakoubek, 90,

of Fairfax, slipped away from us suddenly Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, surrounded by her beloved family members. A private family gathering will be held at a later date. Teahen Funeral Home is serving the family.

Melva was born Oct. 2, 1931, in Dorchester, Neb., the daughter of Leo and Alice (Srajhans) Shestak. She grew up on the family farm in Nebraska, before moving with her family to Mount Vernon, Iowa, in 1941. Her rural upbringing included milking cows before school, gardening, being active in 4-H and the ability to drive a tractor. When very young, she and her brother, Norman, would ride an old horse to school and lead it into a ditch so they could climb back on after school.

Melva attended Mount Vernon High School, where she loved home economics and cheerleading. Following her graduation, she fell in love and married Jim Jakoubek on Aug. 29, 1951, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. The newlyweds moved to Alexandria, La., where Jim served in the United States Air Force. Here their first daughter, Jeannie, was born.

Because Melva wanted her children to grow up in a small town with room to run and play, she and Jim left Louisiana and returned to Iowa, raising their family in Fairfax. Melva was elated with every subsequent child born to them, six in all. She and Jim lived to nurture and support their growing family, with all the challenges, including four teenagers in the house at one time!

Melva's loved ones include her husband of 70 years, Jim Jakoubek; three sons, Joe (Diane) Jakoubek of Cedar Rapids, John (Tamra) Jakoubek of Brandon and Jim (Paula) Jakoubek of Cedar Rapids; three daughters, Jeannie (Rick) Leitz of Auburn, Ky., Julie (Gary) O'Hara of Cedar Rapids and Jerilyn (Brian) Reeves of Cedar Rapids. Melva was blessed with grandchildren, Justin Leitz, Jennifer Leitz, James O'Hara, Jacqueline Teahen, Alan Jakoubek, Haley Berger, Crystal Britcher, Nichole Gott, Corey Gott, Jessica Jakoubek and Allison Jakoubek, and 17 great-grandchildren. Melva is survived by a sister, Edna Kenslow.

She was preceded in death by her beloved brothers, Norman and Loren Shestak. Especially dear to her heart were sisters-in-law, Janet Melichar, Dorothy Shestak and Eleanor Shestak; and her cousin, Delores Trachta, as well as many nieces, nephews and relatives still in Nebraska. Melva also had much affection for her long-time friends and neighbors in Fairfax.

We, her children, will always strive to honor her work ethic, love and grace.

We would like to thank the staff at Stoney Point Meadows who were so kind to our mother during her time there.

Instead of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences can be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.