Marie L. (nee Eigenbauer) Jacobs

Marie Louise Eigenbauer Jacobs, a lifelong Chicagoan whose deep roots trace back to the Austrian village of Bad Tatzmannsdorf, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, November 21, 2025 at the age of 95.  

She is preceded in death by her parents, Frank Eigenbauer (d. 1973) and Gertrude (nee Hosch) Eigenbauer (d. 1951), her step-mother Emma (nee Berg) Eigenbauer (d. 1985), and her siblings, the late Dorothy Marie Czekala Jefferson (d. 1990), the late Robert Joseph (late Jean) Eigenbauer (d. 1972), the late Philip George (Georgiana) Eigenbauer (d. 2025), the late Carolyn Anne (late Richard) Zaczek (d. 2008), and the late Edward Francis (Evanetta) Eigenbauer (d. 2024).

Marie was a beloved mother to Alan (Andrea) Jacobs, Trudy (Mark) Ritchie, John Jacobs, Tom (Mary Jane) Jacobs, Mary Jacobs, and Nancy Loague; cherished grandmother of Andrea Baker, Alan (Renea) Jacobs, Keith Jacobs, Tim Ritchie, Randi (Mark) Walker, Taylor (Adam) Gasbarro, Alyssa Jacobs, Nicholas Barth, Julie (George) Chicvara, Danielle (Trent) Sayers, and honorary grandchildren Paul (Erin) McNaughton, Jr., and Kelly (Kevin) Utigard; adored great grandmother to Jax, Landon, Bella, Mina, Vincent, Avery, Ben, Ty, AJ, Lucie, Annie, Wesley, Alex, Jamie, and Harper; and dearest aunt to many nieces and nephews who will continue to honor her legacy of hard work, family devotion, and making the most of each day.

A Life in the Back-of-the-Yards

Marie was born on April 7, 1930, at the former Chicago Lying-In Hospital on the south side of Chicago.  She was the second of six children born to Frank Eigenbauer and Gertrude Rita (Hosch) Eigenbauer. Her father, Frank, was born in Bad Tatzmannsdorf, Austria, and immigrated to the United States with Marie’s grandfather, Julius Eigenbauer. Her mother, Gertrude, was born in Chicago, but her grandparents, Joseph Hosch and Louisa (Nicka) Hosch, also hailed from Bad Tatzmannsdorf. Both sets of her grandparents settled in the Back-of-the-Yards neighborhood of Chicago. 

Marie’s childhood was spent in the family’s two-flat home at 5303 S. Laflin Street, a house built by her Grandpa Hosch, a bricklayer.  Her early life, up until her marriage, was marked by the resilience of the Depression era; the close quarters of a large family sharing one bathroom, and the deep bonds forged through shared chores and minimal resources.  She often recalled the practicality and thriftiness instilled in her, which led to her lifelong aversion to waste.

Marie was a dedicated Catholic and attended St. Augustine Grammar and High School, following in the footsteps of her parents. She later watched her own six children attend the grammar school and her three daughters graduate from the all girls high school. She held a special respect for the Nuns - the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ - who staffed the school and provided a strict but excellent education.

Family and Legacy

On December 30, 1950, Marie married Frederick C. Jacobs Jr. (d. 2006). Although they later divorced in 1979, they raised six children together—three girls and three boys.

Marie cherished the simple family traditions of her youth, especially the Sunday outings after Mass, which included visiting St. Mary's Cemetery, and most memorably, a stop at the Rainbow Lodge for their beloved Rainbow Ice Cream Cones.  She loved coffee, the Cubbies, and doing things in the service of others.  Marie looked forward to seeing her relatives each summer at the family picnic.  She also enjoyed going to the casino with her siblings and her friends, as well as playing card games with her family.

Her philosophy on life, a testament to her upbringing, was:

"Accept your situation and make the most of it. You must work to better yourself, but be happy with your lot in life and make the best of it. Don't waste your time feeling sorry for yourself or envying others.

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