Betty Louise (Finkbeiner) Jacobs passed away at the Smith County Memorial Hospital in Smith Center, Kansas, on March 20, 2022. Betty was born to the Reverend Arthur R. and Ellnor (Schoenberger) Finkbeiner on September 7, 1930 in Garden City, Kansas.
Born in the midst of the dust bowl, she attended Kindergarten through 2nd grade in Garden City where her Father, or "Daddy" as she lovingly referred to him, was the Pastor of St. James Lutheran Church. Betty's family moved to Dodge City, Kansas, to the Hope Lutheran Parish south of Dodge City. Betty attended a rural school and it was there that her interest in piano and music originated. This interest would eventually blossom into a love she shared with all of those fortunate enough to know her.
The Finkbeiner family moved in 1940 to serve at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wilson, Kansas. It was there Betty found a wonderful piano teacher and was able to enjoy more music experiences. She worked several jobs for 10 cents an hour to earn money to continue her lessons.
In 1946, Betty's family moved to Gaylord, Kansas, to pastor at Christ Lutheran Church. Betty attended Gaylord High School and graduated in 1948. She attended Fort Hays College and received a provisional teaching degree. After obtaining her degree Betty taught at the rural, one-room Uhl School, located northwest of Smith Center for two years. During those two years of teaching, she continued sharing her gift of music playing for church and many weddings and funerals.
In 1950, on April 26th, she married Duane Robert Jacobs at Christ Lutheran Church in Gaylord, Kansas. To this union were born three children, Bruce Edward, Brent Duane and Dorothea Louise. Together, they lived for 54 years at 816 East Kansas in Smith Center, a home built by their father, Edward Jacobs. In this home they shared many, many joyful memories. This home was not only the place they raised and celebrated their family, children and grandchildren, but Betty also opened their home and her heart to friends and community.
Betty did not expect to spend so much of her life on music, but God revealed a clear talent and calling and she followed faithfully. Betty dedicated her life's work to joyfully teaching piano in her home. In addition to lessons, she shared her music through helping out with music programs in schools, playing for weddings and funerals, accompanying church services and teaching Sunday school music at her Church home, American Lutheran Church of Smith Center. Betty kept a list of the students she taught over her many years of instructing piano lessons and that number came to 614 students. Even after her health declined, Betty still gave piano lessons in her assisted living residence and later on at SunPorch. Betty certainly enjoyed every second she spent with her piano students as well as those she worked with at school. To those of you in her "music world," Betty would want to say thank you for sharing your time and talents with her. The depth of her love for music sincerely affected so many and lives on through her family, students and community.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents and loving husband, Duane Robert Jacobs, in 2004. Betty is survived by sisters, Elaine Eller of Lindsborg, Kansas, Gladys Woods of Smith Center, Kansas, and brother Allen (Margaret) Finkbeiner of Russell, Kansas. Those whose memories of her will be as Mother are Bruce (Connie) Jacobs of New Ulm, Minnesota, Brent (Starr) Jacobs of Smith Center, Kansas, and Dorothea "Doti" (Val) Burgess of Lebanon, Kansas. Her grandchildren are Matthew Jacobs, Evan (Laura) Jacobs, Scott (Kate) Jacobs, Nathan Jacobs, April (Chris) Mick, Ross (Noelle) Burgess, Dara (Chris) Jochum, and Rebekah (Patrick) Miller. Betty is also survived by 18 great grandchildren, brother-in-law Irwin Jacobs and sister- in-law, Lucille Jacobs.
Betty remarked several times in her last few days that she was eagerly anticipating her glorious reunion in Heaven. Betty passed surrounded by family with piano hymns playing and in peace that she would be reunited with the love of her life, Duane, and her Savior Jesus Christ.
Visitation will be held from 5:00PM to 7:00PM Friday, March 25, 2022 at Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary, 116 W. First Street, Smith Center, Kansas
Celebration of Life Services will be 10:30AM Saturday, March 26, 2022 at American Lutheran Church, 415 W. New York, Smith Center, Kansas.
Final resting place will be in Fairview Cemetery, 1309 N. Main, Smith Center, Kansas.