Wayne Jacobs

Dr. Wayne Jacobs, age 85 died peacefully and was welcomed to heaven on November 4, 2025, at Park Gardens in Fergus Falls.

Wayne Martin Jacobs was born in Fergus Falls, Minnesota on September 1, 1940 to Martin and Regina Jacobs. He was one of six children raised on the family farm just a mile north of Fergus Falls. He spent his childhood years working on the farm, helping to raise crops and tending to the daily needs of the cows, chickens, pigs and horses that were a part of their lives. Growing up on a farm also presented Wayne with the opportunity to be a part of 4-H. He took great pride in showing cattle and won the championship for showmanship one year with his prize cow. Wayne's passion for cattle would eventually prove to be a lifelong calling in caring for animals. He also worked at Sundberg's bee farm which happened to be the neighbors across the road. The perk with that job was going water skiing after work at Jewett Lake. Wayne quickly discovered a new talent and love for skiing. Although life on the farm did revolve around work, Wayne also enjoyed time spent pitching softball in 4-H, church gatherings, riding horse, and shooting baskets under the yard light even in the dead of winter with his brother Jim.

Wayne attended country school located just a mile north of the farm, which he walked with his brothers and sisters daily for the first eight years of his education. He finished his high school education at the FFHS and was in the first graduating class of the Fergus Falls Junior College. Wayne attended NDSU for Veterinary science and was accepted and graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in St. Paul in 1968.

Wayne had a passion for large animals and wanted to work in the dairy industry. That desire drove him to California where massive dairy farms were in desperate need of veterinarians. With his strong work ethic and faith in God he became a partner in a booming veterinarian practice in the San Joaquin Valley. A partnership that lasted for the next 30 years. During his time in California, he always made trips back to Minnesota to visit family and friends, and was always on the hunt for land and a place to retire. Eventually he purchased a farm just North of Wall Lake where he would build a beautiful retirement home to enjoy with everyone he knew.

After a fulfilling career of caring for animals in California, Wayne retired from his practice and moved back to Minnesota to enjoy the company of family and soon discovered a new calling to care for dogs and cats back home. He worked as a relief veterinarian in the area for a few years with Dr. Joe Felland and the two discovered there was an underserviced area in Barnesville, MN and decided to build veterinarian practice to help the pet owners in that region. In 1999, the Barnesville Animal Care Clinic was established. Wayne eventually became the sole owner and once again enjoyed caring for animals and the people that loved them. He was a great mentor for a young doctor that soon entered the growing practice who eventually became the new owner of the clinic. The practice continues to successfully help the people of Barnesville and the surrounding area today.

During retirement Wayne's passion was caring for the farm and driving his John Deere tractor. He loved spending afternoons in the cab of the tractor with the radio playing old country tunes and gazing off at the land that he loved.

Wayne dedicated his life to God at an early age and was deeply involved in his church. His faith was always present and unwavering. He lived his life as a servant of God. Wayne was loving, caring, and generous. He touched many lives and will be deeply missed.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Regina Jacobs; his sisters, Marlene Hanson and Angie Weidner; brothers, Fred and Frank Jacobs and brothers-in-law, Bill Hanson and Rev. Art Weidner.

He is survived by his brother, Jim (Carol) Jacobs of Laramie, WY; sisters-in-law, Kathy Jacobs and Judy Jacobs; special caretaker, Noelia Budke of Fergus Falls, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Visitation: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday, November 7, 2025 at Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls and will resume one-hour prior to the service at the church.

Service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 8, 2025 at Faith Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls.

Clergy: Reverend Scott Malme and Reverend Craig Palach

Interment: Trinity-Faith Cemetery, Fergus Falls, MN

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com