Bernice Sneller

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

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