Jacob Wilgenburg, 85, died April 18, 2009 at the East Morgan County Hospital in Brush. He was born September 22, 1923 in the city of Barneveld, Providence of Gelderland, The Netherlands, to Eibert Wilgenburg and Francina(Van Davalaar). Jack, as he was most commonly called, was the oldest of 8 brothers and 8 sisters. Upon completing school at 6th grade, he worked on the family farm, milking 20 cows by hand and farming with horses. Jack's mother passed away when he was 12 years old. His father then married Elizabeth (de Groot), who lovingly cared for, added to and raised the family. Even though lacking in formal education, he always encouraged it. Jack was very inquisitive, always reading and asking questions. Jack and family survived the Nazi occupation of Europe for 4 years, while also hiding 2 Jewish children. In 1946, at the age of 23, Jack immigrated to Caledonia, New York for 7 years as a farm worker where he was later joined by his brother, Joe. They also milked 17 cows for 2 years on their own. Upon hearing about California, he packed up his belongings and went to see. Impressed, he wrote to his family about the potential. His father, mother and 12 siblings joined him in northern San Diego County where they started a dairy farm in 1956. On July 28, 1961, Jacob married Jennie Martinet (Kesting), to which was born a son, Edward John, who married Kathy (Toth), and whose children are Jacob, Justin, Jared and Jordan. A daughter, Nelly Frances was also born, who married Hendrik Binnendyk, and whose children are Simon, Jennifer, ArieJan and Heidi. In 1987, the family moved their dairy to Bakersfield, and in 2004, they moved the dairy again to Fort Morgan, Colorado, at which time, Jack moved to the adjoining town of Brush and semi-retired. While living in San Marcos, CA, he was a member of the Escondido Christian Reformed Church, in Bakersfield, Trinity Reformed Church, and in Fort Morgan, CO, he attended Immanuel Evangelical Church. Jack's favorite pastimes were attending church, being on the dairy, going to cattle auctions, deep-sea fishing and most of all, visiting with family and friends. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister. There will be a visitation on Thursday, April 23, 2009 from 5 until 7 PM at the Heer and Dahl Mortuary in Brush. Funeral Services will be Friday, April 24, 2009 at 1:00 PM at the Immanuel Evangelical Church in Ft. Morgan. Interment will follow in Brush Memorial Cemetery in Brush. Memorial Gifts may be made to either the Salvation Army or to the Westminster Seminary in Escondido, California.