Isabelle R. Jacobs

Isabelle R. Campbell Jacobs, 98, died December 12, 2005, at Brewster Place Health Center, in the loving embrace of her family. She was born February 18, 1907, near Jamestown, Kansas, the second of five children born to Donald Alvin Rodgers and Mary Alice Stockton Rodgers. Isabelle graduated from Jamestown High School, and later attended the Kansas City Art Institute and George Washington University, Washington, D.C. She graduated from Washburn University, Topeka, with a Master's Degree in Elementary Education. Isabelle started her working career teaching in a one-room school in rural Kansas as a teenager. She then worked for the Federal Government in Washington, D.C., and Kansas City, Missouri, as well as the Federal and State Governments in Topeka. She taught many years at Crestview Elementary and Maude Bishop Elementary schools in Topeka, retiring in 1972. Isabelle married James A." Jack" Campbell in 1943; he died in 1958. She married R.J. "Dick" Jacobs in 1973. He preceded her in death in 1979. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Theodore "Ted" Rodgers, West Plains, Missouri, and sisters Lucille Rodgers Jackson, Las Vegas, and Pauline Rodgers Black, Concordia, Kansas, and step son-in-law, Dr. David Gray, Topeka, Kansas. Isabelle is survived by a sister, Josephine Rodgers Appleby, Clyde, Kansas, and a brother-in-law, Glenn Black, Concordia, Kansas. She is also survived by her daughter, Susan Campbell Turner and husband James, Topeka, Kansas; two grand children and their spouses: Coupar Campbell Lester and wife Jennifer, Denver, Colorado; Tristan Campbell Powers and husband Sean, Elmhurst, Illinois; and seven great- grandchildren. Isabelle is also survived by her step daughters: Jean Campbell Gray, Topeka; Mary Campbell Green and her husband, Don, Riverside, California; six step-grand children: Joan Gray Hartung and husband John, Indianola, Iowa; Barbara Gray, Clinton, Missouri; Dan Green and wife Jana, Rancho Santa Fe, California; Peggy Green Wilson and husband Don, Carson City, Nevada; Patty Green Goodman and husband Larry, Castro Valley, California; Linda Green Morgan and husband Bob, Lawrence, Kansas; seven step great-grand children; and seven step great, great-grandchildren, and her beloved nieces and nephews. Isabelle was a member of Grace Episcopal Cathedral, Washburn University Alumni Association and the Topeka Country Club. She enjoyed spending the winters in Tucson, Arizona, playing bridge, painting, reading, and gardening. Isabelle always had a thirst for knowledge, an inquisitive mind, and a sense of adventure, and was an elegant and beautiful person who, surrounded by family and friends, lived her life to its fullest. She will be deeply missed and long remembered in the hearts of those who had the pleasure of knowing her. Part of Isabelle's enduring legacy will be the people who were named after her, her niece Isabelle Ruth, grand niece Allison Isabelle, great-grand niece Allison Isabelle, and great-granddaughter Madeline Isabelle. A Memorial service celebrating Isabelle's life will be held at Grace Episcopal Cathedral on Sunday, January 8th, 2006 at 12 noon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace Episcopal Cathedral; 701 SW 8th Street; Topeka, Kansas, 66612. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com.