Oskar Jakob

Oskar Jakob, born on August 29, 1930, in Simleul, Romania, passed away on September 7, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Margo, his four loyal sons, Henry, Gary (Vickie), Ronny (Loretta Wright), and Jeff, his adoring grandchildren, Daniel, Samuel, Sarah, Mark, Jordan, Dara, Ari,

and Aylee, his great-granddaughters, Eden and Hadley, his half-sister, Linda Mann, and many, many friends. Oskar was a kind, loving, funny, hardworking, eternally optimistic, good man who will be forever missed.

Herman and Gisela Jakob raised three children, Oskar, Henry, and Irene, on a small farm, with Herman working many different jobs to provide for his family. On May 4, 1944, the entire family was sent to Auschwitz. His mother, brother, sister, and 41 family members never left. Only Oskar, his father, and a cousin, Erwin, survived to be liberated on April 15, 1945.

In 1949, these three amazing men arrived at Ellis Island under the Displaced Persons Quota. Oskar was a proud American from the moment he stepped off the boat. He added English to the collection of languages he spoke (Romanian, Hungarian, Yiddish,

and German) and worked in any job he could find.

Oskar attended a dance in 1957 and saw a woman across the room. He asked Margo to dance, and it was the best decision of his life. They were married a year and a half later, starting 68 wonderful years together. Their first son Henry was born in 1959.

Deciding that the Bronx wasn’t the place to raise their kids, they settled on Missouri, buying a dairy farm in Licking and having three more sons, Gary, Ronny, and Jeff.

When farming wasn’t profitable enough for their growing family, they moved to St. Louis.

There, Oskar enrolled in a school to become a master plumber. He founded Jakob Plumbing and loved his business, working for 25 years, retiring in 1990.

Once retired, Oskar and Margo hit the road, traveling from coast to coast in their beloved RV. They spent the winters in Frostproof, Florida, where they had many friends for 26 years. They also traveled around the world, with Osker’s favorite place being Israel.

Israel was of vital importance to Oskar throughout his life. His belief in the necessity of a Jewish homeland, a place where Jews could not just feel but actually be safe, became his passion.

His love of farm life never left him, either. He and Margo, who also grew up on a farm, bought another farm, located between Fredericktown and Ironton, Missouri. They had cattle (including the largest herd of Scottish Highland cows in the state), miniature

horses and buffalo, among others. The farm was a gathering

place for family and friends. They were able to create memories for a lifetime with their sons, grandchildren and friends. For Oskar, the farm offered solace from his nightmares, which haunted him.

His sons have fond memories of going to work with him, spending time on the farm as a family, camping, and fishing – all things that made him an incredible father. He loved golf, playing chess, and his active social life with Margo always at his side.

Osker Jakob was so much more than a survivor. He was defined by what he did with the life he was given. He was surrounded by love and laughter, and he gave the same back to those he cared about.

May his memory forever be a blessing.

If you would like to learn more about Oskar Jakob, please visit stlholocaustmuseum.org.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Oskar’s name be made to the St. Louis Kaplan-Feldman Holocaust Museum, Congregation B’nai Amoona, or the charity of your choice.

A Funeral Service will be held at Congregation B’nai Amoona, 324 S. Mason Rd. St. Louis, MO 63141, on Thursday, September 10, at 11 AM, (Also available by livestream) with burial to follow at Beth Shalom Cemetery, 650 White Rd. Chesterfield, MO. 63017