Katie Bernice Sneller was born on November 11, 1926, on the family farm north of Pella, Iowa. She was the seventh of seven children born to Abraham and Johanna (Van Heukelom) Bogaards. Bernice attended Sandridge Country Grade School through 4th grade and graduated 8th grade at Bunker Hill Country Grade School. Upon graduation, Bernice began her career cleaning homes for various families. She also worked at the corn factory, the canning factory, and the overall factory. Eventually, she returned to cleaning homes. She cleaned with her sisters mostly, her bestie, Marcia Cade, her sister-in-law Marge Sneller, and her niece Connie Milligan. She retired at age 86 when she had her knees replaced and couldn't mop floors on her hands and knees.

On October 14, 1944, Bernice married  Jacob Sneller, Jr. in the Third Reformed Church parsonage. To this union, four children were born: Sharon Kay, Sandra Ann, Stanley Jay, and Sherril Sue. Upon the death of Sharon and Gene in November 1969, Kathy Kay came to live with Jake and Bernice. Rick went to live with his paternal grandparents Leland and Betty Vander Linden.

Bernice was baptized and made profession of faith at Third Reformed Church in Pella. Jake and Bernice became charter members of Trinity Reformed Church in 1953. Bernice was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need, whether they were family or friend. She loved each of her children and grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren dearly. She prayed for them all every day. She hoped and prayed that all of them would have the Lord in their lives.

Bernice passed away on December 20, 2021, at the age of 95 years.

Bernice was preceded in death by her husband Jake, her daughters: Sharon (Gene) Vander Linden and Sandra Frost, her grandchildren: Jon Stravers,  and Tammy De Heer Helle, her great grandson: Jonah Stravers, her parents Abraham and Johanna Bogaards; her siblings and their spouses: Martha (Pete) Doornenbal, Rachel (William) Uitermarkt, Mollie (Franklin) Brom, William (Faye) Bogaards, Alberta (Carl) Mitchel and Henry Naaktgeboren, and Jeanette (Norman) Robus.

Those left to honor her memory are the following:

The late Sharon Kay and the late Gene Vander Linden

Rick and Becky Vander Linden

Rechelle and Mike Gamble

Kason, Kolton, Lane

Chelsea Drilling

Payton, Brynlee

Kathy Vander Linden and Todd Tollefson

Dylan De Penning

Diesel, Mia, Nash

Austin Foust

The late Sandra Frost and Ken Frost

Michael and Wendy Schober

Candice and Juan Torres

Madison

Christopher and Heather Schober

Shelby, Zachery

Stan and Shirley (Garden) Sneller

Jeanette and Jim Rankin

Jenifer and Jessup Miller

Jolene

Justin Meinders

Garyn

Stephanie and Jeff Lenderink

John and Lindsay Lenderink

Naomi, Joanna, Selah, Lily

Tom and Taylor Lenderink

Cassandra and Russell Dyk

Sue and Blain De Heer

Derrick and  Kayleen De Heer

Colton

Lexi and Jayce Jenkins

Rylie

The late Tammy (DeHeer) Helle and Jeff Helle

Donovan, Joeley

Staci Blanke and Michael Peterson

Keira, Mahailey, Grayson

Sherril and Gifford Graham

Lisa Stravers

Sage, Jacob

Lindsay and Jon Miller

Maddox, Lucas

Adopted daughter Charlie and Bob Zylstra

Hospice of Pella - Day of Care
Pella IA

Trinity Church
Pella IA

World Home Bible League