Good-bye Grandpa

We just arrived home from the Funeral. I was a little worried about how the kids would react, especially Nadia. She has gotten really close to him in the past few months. I am sure that it did not make a whole lot of sense in her 3 year old brain; she was just really happy to play with her cousins. I am anticipating questions or comments over the next few weeks. It was a whirlwind weekend, but it was such a blessing to remember Grandpa. Now back to "real" life... School, work and laundry.



Here's a copy of the Obituary:

In Memory Of
Gerrit J. Sneller
September 20, 1914 - December 30, 2009

DIED
December 30, 2009
Oskaloosa, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICES
11:00 A.M., Monday, January 4, 2010
United Methodist Church
Pella, Iowa

VISITATION
Sunday, January 3, 2010
starting at 11:00 A.M. with
family present 2:00 - 4:00 P.M.
Garden Chapel Funeral Home
Pella, Iowa

INTERMENT
10:00 A.M. Monday, January 4, 2010
Oakwood Cemetery
Pella, Iowa

Gerrit J. Sneller was born near Otley, Iowa, on September 20, 1914, to Jacob and Gertrude Brouwer Sneller. He was raised in the Otley area where he attended country school and farmed with his father. Gerrit's mother passed away when he was five years old. His father later married Annie Hulleman.

On March 11, 1938, Gerrit was united in marriage with Annabell Van Heukelom in Pella, Iowa. They rented various farms over the years until they purchased their own in the Skunk River bottom north of Pella. Gerrit and Annabell were blessed with two children: Kenneth and Bonnie.

Gerrit and Annabell retired from farming in 1984. He then began working at the Star Oil Gas Station in Pella. Other places of employment included the Christian Opportunity Center, Vermeer Manufacturing, and Central College.

On May 4, 2002, Gerrit and Annabell suffered the loss of their son, Kenneth, in a car accident near Tracy, Iowa. Twenty-six days later on May 30, 2002, Annabell passed away after a lengthy illness.

At the age of seventy Gerrit took up bowling. He joined a group of men who bowled on a regular basis at the Excit-A-Bowl in Pella. They often traveled to nearby towns to participate in tournaments. Gerrit loved the Lord and was currently a member of the United Methodist Church in Pella where he participated in a Bible Study group.

Gerrit passed away at the Mahaska Hospital in Oskaloosa, Iowa, on the evening of Wednesday, December 30, 2009, at the age of ninety-five. Those left to cherish his memory are: his daughter and her husband, Bonnie and Don Vos of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and his daughter-in-law, Mary Jane Sneller of Tracy, Iowa; eight grandchildren: Kathy (James) Dickinson, Glenda (Kelly) Carlson, Dan (Missy) Sneller, Rose (Andrew) Tulp, Rachel (Jose') Carrollo Vos, Michael (Leah) Vos, Melissa (Joel) Van Kooten, and Jason (Sarah) Vos; twenty-four great-grandchildren; brother, Art (Marge) Sneller; sister, Labertha Vander Schel; sisters-in-law: Ruth Jean Van Heukelom and Bernice Sneller.

Preceding him in death was: his wife, Annabell; his son, Kenneth; his parents; brothers: Jacob Sneller, Hank (Doretha) Sneller, Rick (Cora) Sneller; brothers-in-law: Cyrus Vander Schel, Norman Van Heukelom, Ray (Johanna) Van Heukelom; sisters-in-law, Thresa (Lloyd) Van Rees and Betty (Hank) Goodyk.

Gerrit will always be remembered for his love for his family, his great sense of humor, and his optimistic outlook on life.