Lavern Sneller

     LaVern Sneller age 94 of Sioux Center, IA died Wednesday,  July 5, 2017 at Avera Dells Area Hospital in Dell Rapids, SD.
 
     Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 10, 2017 at First Reformed Church in Sioux Center, IA with Rev. Jamie Dykstra, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery at Sioux Center, IA.

     Visitation will be Sunday, July 9th from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. with the family present at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

     LaVern Marie (Panhorst) Sneller was born on a farm near Wayne, NE to Edwin and Ella (Meyer) Panhorst on February 27, 1923.  In grade school, LaVern moved with her family to a farm near Primghar, IA.  She graduated Primghar High School in 1941.  Following high school, Lavern attended Sioux City Academy of Beauty Culture, graduating in 1942, and receiving her Iowa cosmetology license.  Following school and a short apprenticeship in Sioux City, IA. she and her best friend Cornelia Kosters set out as business women in Sheldon, IA as co-owners of a beauty shop. The partnership ended when the two women married Sioux County men, but their friendship continued a lifetime.  LaVern was united in marriage to Dames Sneller of Sioux Center, IA on May 19, 1947.  The couple made their home on the Sneller family farm, Pleasant Hill, east of Sioux Center.

     Three children were born Perry, Patrick, and Amy.  The family moved in 1968 to another farm just east of Sioux Center where LaVern remained most of her life, before moving to Royale Meadows Care Center.  In November 2015, she moved to Dell Rapids, SD under the care of Vickie Kennedy, which was close to her son Pat’s farm.  LaVern loved working on the farm and helping with chores.  She also planted and harvested a large garden each year.  She was a great cook and was known for her lunches that she brought to the fields.  LaVern loved working with youth and gave of her time and knowledge as a long time 4-H leader of the Peppy Pals 4-H club as well as working with the Welcome Workers Club.  She also was a catechism teacher at the First Reformed Church of Sioux Center where she was a life-long member.  Following Amy’s graduation from high school, LaVern worked for the Sioux Center school district food service department.  She enjoyed the elementary children as well as her colleagues.  She worked with the lunch program and remained good friends with her colleagues long after retiring.  LaVern enjoyed traveling in her later years with numerous bus trips with Cornelia.  She also got to travel to many states with Amy and Peter.  As her health declined, she enjoyed rides in the country and going to Pat’s farm. 

     LaVern is survived by her son, Pat Sneller of Flandreau, SD and her daughter, Amy Sneller Orwick and son-law Peter Orwick of Spearfish, SD.  One granddaughter, Samantha Sneller of Sioux Falls, SD. Two sisters- in- law, Irene Sneller (Marty) of Sioux Center, IA and Janice Sneller (Scott) of Boyden, IA and several nieces and nephews.

     LaVern was preceded in death by husband, Dames in 1992; her parents; brother, Harold; sister, Eileen Vollink and her son, Perry; brothers in-law, Edwin Sneller; Martin Sneller; Scott Sneller; Ward Irvine and Jim Vollink; sisters-in-law, Alice Sneller and Helen Sneller.

MUSIC

Processional Hymn

"It's Well With My Soul"

"God Will Take Care of You"

"His Hand in Mine"

Recessional Hymn

"A Shelter in the Time of Storm"

Betty Vermeer, Vocalist

Irene Schuiteman, Pianist

CASKET BEARERS

Lee Irvine     Jim Irvine

Paul Sneller     Kent Sneller

Arnie Schelling     John Sneller