Helen Sneller
December 07, 2008
Helen L. Sneller (82) died peacefully at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines on December 7, 2008. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday December 12 at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday December 11 at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home.
Helen was born January 28, 1926 to Lester and Mabel Keller in Plover, Iowa. Her childhood years were spent in Ackworth, Iowa where she attended grade school. She then went to Indianola schools and attended her final year of high school in Knoxville where she graduated in 1943. After graduation she worked for the State Employment Service. She met Jacob Sneller and they were married on September 21, 1945. After his discharge from the Navy in February 1946, they moved to the Des Moines area. They had two children, Marcia and Joe. Helen was a stay at home mom and also was active in church activities, PTA and volunteer work. She was a member of the Indianola unit of the American Legion Auxiliary. In 1960 she began working in the office of W. P. Johnson Company / Steelworks and continued until she retired in 1996. Helen belonged to Beta Sigma Phi sorority, several bridge clubs, and the Red Hat Society. She enjoyed sewing and needlework. Helen also volunteered at the State Historical Library.
Her family and friends will never forget her caring nature and the joy she brought to us. She had a way about her that made all that knew her feel at home and cared for. Helen’s sincere interest in the lives and children of those she knew fulfilled her life as well as the lives of those who were blessed enough to know her. Whether it was for a moment or for a lifetime, Helen will be deeply missed by all that crossed her path.
Helen is survived by her two children Marcia (Doug) Ohde of Des Moines and Joe (Debra) Sneller of Lincoln, Nebraska, four grandchildren Laura (Todd) Price of Glenview Illinois, Mark (Amy) Ohde of Symrna, Georgia, Andy (Hannah) Sneller of Omaha, Nebraska and Lindsay (Mike) Kelly of Lincoln, Nebraska, and three great grandchildren Cassidy Price, Allison Ohde and Ryan Ohde. She is also survived by her brother Max (Freda) Keller of Indianola. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Jake.
The family would like to thank the staff at Mill Pond Retirement Community for their friendship and loving care. She was happy and content living there. Memorials are requested to be made to Mill Pond Retirement Community in Ankeny or to Westminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Paula (Henderson) Gleason
12/11/2008
So sorry to hear about the passing of Helen! I knew Helen & Jake pretty much all of my life as they were dear friends to my parents, Bill & Torry Henderson.
Our sympathies are with you!
Paula, Rick, Libby & Anna Gleason
Judy Johnston
12/11/2008
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Mom and Aunt Helen had a special friendship and we are very glad for that. Happy memories become very special at this time and in the future. Keep those memories close to your heart.
Love. Jim and Judy, Jimmy and Jeremiah Johnston
Linda Hendricks
12/08/2008
I am so sorry to hear that Helen has passed away. She was such a wonderful woman, I will dearly miss her.
Linda
Dick Jordan
12/08/2008
Marcia and Joe,
I am so sorry for your loss. When I was little I always knew if something
was bad or I didn't know what to do I could always go to the Sneller's. Your mom and dad were always good to me and my brother. I remember when I stayed with your folks before we moved to Omaha, they were great. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dick Jordan & family
Michaelene (mike) Chase
12/08/2008
To Helen's Family,
I had the pleasure of knowing Helen through work at Millpond. I was always so impressed with her. She always did everything that she could possibly do for herself and was so proud of her achievements. I know how hard some things were for her to do at times, but she never, ever complained. I am missing the Christmas music down her hallway. Millpond somehow seems sadder now that she is gone. I feel so blessed to have known this remarkable woman you called "mom" thank you for allowing me to share a part of her life. All of you will be in my thoughts and prayers in the hard days ahead when you have to learn to live life without her. What a great Christmas gift Helen has been given, she earned her angel wings and will be watching over all of you.
God bless all of you,
Michaelene