Jacob Joseph (Joe) Kumba

Rock Rapids, IA Jacob Joseph (Joe) Kumba, age 59 of Rock Rapids, IA died Saturday, April 27, 2013 at Sanford Hospital in Rock Rapids, IA. Memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 2, 2013 at United Methodist Church in Rock Rapids with Rev. Marcia Sangel officiating. Jacob (Joe) Kumba was born January 1, 1954 in Estherville, IA to Jake and Betty (Stewart) Kumba. He lived with his family on a farm northwest of Superior, IA until the age of 5. Joe had fond memories of that time especially of his grandma Olive Kumba and his pets and picnics with his Dads family. He and his family then moved to a farm near Rock Rapids where he attended country school close by the farm. He continued his schooling at Central Lyon in Rock Rapids. While he was in senior high he worked summers as a janitor at the school. Joes parents were and are interesting people with the hobbies of travel and antiques. They saw the history and value of old things early on and passed the interest on to their son. He especially appreciated the looks and models of classic cars. On June 5, 1993 Joe was united in marriage to Sandy Bahnson at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in rural Inwood, IA. To this union 2 children were born. Farming was Joes job until the age of 27 when he went to Sheldon for plumbing school and made that a 10 year career working with some good crews. From there a job at the fresh new world of Ethanol in Hudson, SD and there also found a great crew of guys to work with who helped carry some of the load at the beginning of his illness. He was always proud to have been a member of the startup crew there at Sioux River Ethanol. Joe and family were amazed and grateful for the support they received from the people at the ethanol plant. He then was given an opportunity to work as a water specialist at Grand Falls Casino near Larchwood and enjoyed his time there as well. Joes family meant the world to him. He enjoyed sharing time with them in many different ways. Theyll remember walking with him to their special spot by the bridge down the road from the farm or sitting around the Friday night bonfires. He was proud of his kids and always insisted on attending the sporting events they were part of whether the game was home or away. After several years of courageously battling cancer, Joe passed away on April 27th at the age of fifty nine. He will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife, Sandy Kumba of Rock Rapids and his children, Kendall and Jacob; and his mother, Betty Kumba also of Rock Rapids, IA. Joe was preceded in death by his father, Jake Kumba.