Jacob William Harrington

1983-2025

Jacob William Harrington, age 41, of Sioux City, passed away on Wednesday April 23, 2025, at his home in Sioux City.

His Celebration of Life Service will be held 11 am Friday, May 2, 2025, at the Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City. Visitation begins at 10 am Friday.

Jacob, the son of Marvin Harrington and Cheryl (Baker) Harrington was born September 5, 1983, in Sioux City. He was the third of four boys in the Harrington family. He graduated from East High School in 2002.

When he was young, he participated in Boy Scouts, baseball, wrestling and football. He often spoke of the time he spent on the Hauff’s Red Raiders team coached by Dave Gomez. He enjoyed camping growing up and had great summers fishing with his second family, Dick and Joy Iverson and Sean Gilbert where he and Sean became Pear Studys (Pure Studs, Jake couldn’t spell obviously). The boys always had a slew of friends at the house. Great times were had with Ginny and Cody Hansen, and Andy Berger. As he got older, Brian Barnes also became one of the Harrington crew. The Harrington's had many kids who were morphed into the family there on Martha Street and who remain honorary Harrington's to this day.

He married Andrea Van Bergen, May 26, 2007. Together they had four beautiful children, Jada Harrington-Schager, Kya Schager, Ava Schager and Bentley Schager. He later met Laticia Chappel and together they had one son, Aiden William Harrington. He loved his children unconditionally and they were the reason he lived.

Over the years Jacob had different jobs, Tyson Fresh Meats, Seaboard Triumph foods and different odd jobs but his true love and gift was working in carpentry with his brother Adam. Together they started Adam’s first company A&H Roofing. He worked off and on with Adam at Coral Street Builders and Window World.

Left to honor Jacob’s life and memory are Marvin L and Shari (Parsley) Harrington, Cheryl (Baker-Harrington) and Craig Deirup, Nickolas and Brenna Harrington, Adam and Justine Harrington and Cody Harrington, his grandmothers Yvonne Harrington and Beverly Baker, many nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

The sad reality is that Jacob was an addict and for 23 years of his life he fought against it. Unfortunately, the demons of addiction took over and Jake lost the battle. As a family we find great peace in knowing that he no longer suffers and rather than the demons winning, God has taken him home to make him whole and has given him peace.

When you look at a homeless person on the street, or you pass judgement on someone who can’t hold their liquor or who can’t kick a drug habit, realize that they fight daily to regain a life that addiction steals from them. Don’t be too quick to judge because that person is someone’s son or daughter, mother or father, brother or sister. They are a human being, and we must not forget that. Do they make the choice to use? Yes, they do, and no one can make them sober. They must do that themselves, but that battle has claimed far too many lives. Have some compassion and say a prayer that they find their way to sobriety and a fruitful life.

Addiction took our Jake away, but we will see him again. That is what we as a family hold on to. A special thanks goes to Cody Hansen who did everything he could that night to save Jake. We thank you and we love you Cody.