Elaine Snell

Elaine Marlys (Haar) Snell of Eitzen, Minnesota, passed away Saturday, July 4, 2015, at Gundersen Tweeten Care Center in Spring Grove, Minnesota.
Elaine was born on July 13, 1931, to Martin and Adeline (Fruechte) Haar. She graduated from Waukon High School in 1948, and moved to Chicago that year, where she worked for Western Union for five years. Elaine married Herbert Snell in 1953, and the couple moved to rural Dorchester, Iowa.
Elaine enjoyed being a homemaker while her children were young. After joining the workforce, she worked a variety of jobs until her retirement in 2003.  Elaine was a lifelong member of St. Luke’s United Church of Christ in Eitzen, where she served on women’s fellowship, taught Sunday school, worked with the youth group and sang in the choir.  Elaine also enjoyed performing in shows with the Caledonia Founders Days Players, reading, knitting, and volunteer work. Some of Elaine’s fondest memories were traveling with her Aunt Olga; niece, Trudy, and daughter, Heidi. They had the opportunity to visit many places, but her favorites were Alaska and Hawaii.
Survivors include sons, Scott “Krispo” (Marilyn) Snell, Randy “Poogie” Snell and Clayton (Christine) Snell; daughter, Heidi Snell;  grandchildren, Amie (Derek) Adamson, Luke (Heidi) Snell, Rachael (Collin) Jacobson, Kayla (Chad) Meiners, Seth (Amanda) Snell, Earl McKee, Molly Schaefer,  Abigail Snell,and Teddy Snell;  great-grandchildren, Noah Snell, Lynnea Senn, Kale and Adeline Meiners, Ronin McKee, Camdyn Snell and Jurnee Adamson; step-grandchildren, Maria Niemeyer, Andy (Lisa) Erding, Catie Erding (Eric Palumbo) and Amelia (Michael) Berhinger;  step-great-grandchildren, Blaise and Hunter Niemeyer, Elma, Isaac, Gabe, and Simon Erding, Aden Palumbo, Easton Hulke and Trenton Stalsberg; and sister-in-law, Eleanor Haar.
Elaine was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Herbert; infant grandson, Leo;  two brothers and a sister-in-law.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 25, at St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, Eitzen. Pastor Michael McCann will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. A visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Saturday at the church.
The family requests memorials be made out to St. Luke’s Music and Missions Fund to honor Elaine’s love for music and interest and support of mission work. Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Caledonia Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent at www.jandtfredrickson.com.