Wednesday, November 11, 2020
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It is with great sadness that I am writing about my card playing buddy. My parents also lived at MOCC. After my mother passed in November 2016, we discovered that Jake and Bryce played Pinochle. We tried to get our Dad interested without any success, so the guys said that they would learn to play with us . . . 10 point pitch call partner. That way, each of us had our own score and therefore, a clear Winner ! We played nearly every 4 - 6 weeks for more than 3 years. Usually from 2 to 4 pm . . . could be any day of the week except Tuesday (cuz that was reserved for Pinochle with his brother). Kay kept score and I did all the shuffling and dealing. We could get 1 - 4 games in depending on who was having a good/bad day and if the Twins were playing. Eventually, my Dad moved to different care facility but we still loaded him up for the monthly trip to "go play cards with the boys".
My Dad, Chuck, was also one of Jake's table mates. When my sister, Kay and I would visit from Nebraska, we would join the table for many a meal. Many stories about transporting explosive fuel, crazy stuff that happened in his business, and of course a fish tale or 2. I will miss the glint in his eye when he held a good hand of cards and that sweet little nudge that said "I 'm having fun" even though He didn't really SAY those words.
I knew Jake for less that 4% of his life and my heart aches at his passing. I can't imagine the depth of your sorrow.. . . Jake was such a lovely man and I am so glad to have called him -- a Friend. Blessings to you all !! Adele Kerkhove Schmidt
