ROSEMAE (DOONAN) JACOBS

It is with extreme sadness that we announce our beloved Rosemae Jacobs of Douglas passed away on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, soon after turning 94. She was a spark of joy, and will be deeply missed.  A wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, cousin, and friend. Anyone who truly knew Rosemae, was touched by her infectious personality, generosity, her love to visit and her big heart.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Angeline “Angie” Vannelli (Doonan) Weller; step-father, Butch Weller; her father,  Frank Robert Doonan; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Don Jacobs of Douglas; three children, Valeri Bishop of Georgia, Jolynn Nimmo and husband, Terry, of Utah, and Donald “Jake” Jacobs and fiancé Carla Rivera from Arizona; grandchildren, Landon Guth of Colorado, Chris Bishop and wife Griselda from Georgia, Kristen Nimmo-Golden and husband Dan of Idaho., Ashlen Nimmo residing in Africa, Derek Jacobs and fiancé Sarah Foff of Washington, and Daniel Jacobs and wife Zulma of Texas; and eight great grandchildren and two additional expected great grandchildren that she will unfortunately not be able to hold and caudal.  Rosemae had a great love of children which was reflected in her choice of profession - teaching, and her delight with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Rosemae was born and grew up in Sunrise, Wyoming with her immigrant grandparents and many Italian aunts and uncles; and she was very proud of her Italian heritage and also of her Catholic faith.  Sunrise was a close-knit community and she graduated valedictorian of her small class in 1948.  Rosemae was a cheerleader, liked to sing and dance, and even beat the football captain in a short foot race.  She then attended the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming and Black Hills State Teacher’s College in Spearfish, South Dakota graduating with a teaching certificate.  Rosemae first taught in rural settings in Herford, South Dakota, and then became a third-grade teacher at South Grade in Douglas in 1951. She was passionate about teaching but did leave it behind to pursue becoming a rancher’s wife.  She knew Don Jacobs from the University of Wyoming, when he dated her roommate!  They reunited in Douglas, and she moved 54 miles north to live on the Jacobs Ranch after getting married in 1952.  Rosemae separated plenty of milk and cream, tended the chickens, and raised some bum lambs, but left that behind to raise her children. Raising her family became her sole purpose, sometimes to the exclusion of her own needs.  Once the Jacobs children surpassed sixth grade and could no longer attend the rural school, Rosemae moved into town, living both in Douglas and out on the ranch when possible.  She was a 4-H leader, a Converse County Cowbells, involved in a sorority, volunteering with the American Cancer Society, and Girl Scouts.  In addition, she was a girls Little League basketball coach, and later on was involved with Red Hats Club.  She was definitely an avid sports fan, with other interests including dancing, cooking, a love of flowers, gambling for fun, and interior decorating, with a fondness for the color red.

Her husband, Don, slowly retired from the ranching business and they moved into Douglas, full-time, building a new home.  Rosemae designed this new house and enjoyed decorating it.  For the past several years they’ve resided in assisted living in Douglas.

Even at the very end Rosemae found a way to smile a lot and hold the hands of her family members.  To say her family and friends will miss her greatly is an understatement.  She will be remembered for all the love she shared with family, friends, and past and present caregivers.  You are loved deeply and we are comforted in knowing you are at peace, surrounded by light.  We are hugging you in our souls every day.

There will be a visitation beginning at 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. with a Vigil for the Deceased at 6:00 P.M. Monday, March 4, 2024 at the Gorman Funeral Home – Converse Chapel of Douglas, Wyoming.   The funeral liturgy will be held at Saint James Catholic Church at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, March 6, 2024 with Father Lucas Kazimiro Simango as the Celebrant.  Internment will be in the Douglas Park Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Chris Bishop, Bob Case, Gary Nunn, Justin Nielsen, Cooper Cheatham, and Kolmon Cheatham.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Red Hat Club, Terry Nimmo, Wes Hineman, Mickey Vanelli, Terry Beach, Steve Anderson, Chris Young, and her many friends.

Following the interment the family invites you to Douglas Community Club and Golf Course to celebrate Rosemae’s life.  

As an expression of sympathy, flowers or donations may be sent to Saint Joseph’s Children’s Home, PO Box 1117. Torrington, Wyoming 82240-1117 OR Central Wyoming Hospice 809 South Ninth Street, Douglas, Wyoming 82633

The Gorman Funeral Homes-Converse Chapel of Douglas, Wyoming is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com

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