Jacob Kornelsen, known to all as Jake, was born November 2, 1922, at Alexandertal, Ukraine, to Johann and Katherina (Janzen) Kornelsen. Jake was seven years old when the family emigrated from Russia to Saskatchewan, Canada, settling in the Watrous area. He attended Plymouth School, a daily walk of 2.5 miles to the school and back again, with his sister, Helen.

In 1939 Canada declared war against Germany. In the early years of this war, Jake worked for some time in Trail, BC. By 1942, he began to serve as a Conscientious Objector (CO) in New Westminster, Port Alberni (Vancouver Island), Campbell River, Weyburn and Regina, SK. With the end of World War II in 1945, Jake returned to his home in Watrous to help his parents on the farm. He also began to work for ACME Services in Watrous.

It was here in Watrous that Jake met his wife, Gertrude Klassen, who had also been born in Alexandertal, Ukraine, but had emigrated to Canada in 1948. They were married October 23, 1949, and were blessed with four children, Herb, Garry, Victor (who died in infancy), and Lillian.

As a young man, Jake was baptized upon confession of his faith, at the Bethany Mennonite Church, Watrous, where he was an active member. When the church closed, he began to attend the Drake North Star Mennonite Church, where he was a member until his passing.

In January, 1950, Joe Jewell, owner of ACME Services, invited Jake to purchase a half share of the business. Jake worked at Acme as owner/manager for 43 years until his retirement in 1993. Twenty-five of those years, he was a dealer for Chrysler, a company whose big cars he dearly loved and still drove. He was on the Board of CAA for many years. Even “retired”, Jake could be found daily at Acme, stopping by for coffee and answering phones if needed. He went on his last tow job in October, 2014, to unlock a vehicle in Nokomis.

Fishing and camping were two of Jake’s pleasures, especially together with family. Jake and Gertrude both enjoyed a lot of traveling, inside Canada and in the United States, as well as overseas, among them India, Germany, Brazil, Paraguay, Cuba and Mexico. Though 70 years of age when he retired, Jake took on new ventures of cooking, gardening, volunteering at the MCC Thrift Store and golfing. He and his good friend, Lyle Shantz, spent many hours on the local golf course.

Jake was blessed with a long and active life. In the beginning of March he began to have varied health issues that led to his passing away on Saturday, March 28, 2015.

Jake was predeceased by his wife Gertrude, infant son Victor, parents Johann and Katherina Kornelsen, six brothers and five sisters. He is survived by son Herb (Ruth) Kornelsen and their children Ben (Cherie) Kornelsen, Jocelyn (Dustin) Curtis, Angela (Ryan) Bushman; son Garry (Carolynne) Kornelsen and their sons Kris (Kristie) Kornelsen and Greg (Angela) Kornelsen; daughter Lillian (Allen) Patkau and their daughters, Jenn (Jon) Hromek, Kate (Lester) Pryce and Lesley, and 16 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Anne Boehr and five sisters-in-law, Lena Kornelsen, Leila Kornelsen, Katie Sawatzky, Maria (Isaac) Driediger and Agnes (Rudolf) Friesen.

The Funeral Service was held in North Star Mennonite Church in Drake on Saturday April 4th at 2 p.m. Visitation and viewing for family and friends was held Friday April 3rd at Fotheringham’s Funeral Chapel in Watrous at 7 p.m. Interment took place on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Bethany Mennonite Cemetery. For those so wishing donations to the Lanigan Community Gift and Thrift Store Building Fund c/o Mennonite Central Committee, 600 45th Street West, Saskatoon, SK S7L 5W9 would be appreciated. For online condolences, tributes or to make a donation in his memory please visit fotheringham-mcdougall.com.