Barbara Sneltjes

Obituary

Barbara Sneltjes was born on June 10, 1930, in Worthington, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Lee F. and Hazel (Mead) Little. Barb was baptized as an infant and was later confirmed in her faith as a youth both at the Presbyterian Church in Worthington. She received her education in Worthington and was a graduate of the Worthington High School Class of 1948. Barb furthered her education at Bethel University in St. Paul for one year and transferred to Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Barb was an elementary teacher in Portland, Oregon, for two years, and then she moved back to Minnesota. She taught in the Twin Cities and taught kindergarten for one year in Gaylord.

On August 18, 1956, Barb was married to Arlen Sneltjes at the Marshall Federated Church in Marshall, Minnesota. After their marriage, the couple resided in the Twin Cities until Arlen graduated from dental school and then they moved to Gaylord. This marriage was blessed with three children. She was a loving mother and homemaker. Barb and Arlen shared 55 years of marriage before he passed away on January 22, 2012.

Barb was an active member of the United Church of Christ Church in Gaylord where she participated in the church choir. She was a member of the Sibley County Choral Society, a founding member of the Gaylord Cognizance, and volunteered with Meals on Wheels.

Barb enjoyed golf and was the Club Champion one year at the Winthrop Golf Club. Music was a big part of her life, and Barb played the piano, oboe, and sang alto. She and Arlen attended many concerts, and were particularly fond of choral music and jazz. She loved birds and bird watching. She cherished the time spent with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

When she needed assistance with her daily care, she became a resident of Oak Terrace in Gaylord and later moved to Eagle Crest in Roseville and passed away there on Sunday, August 5, 2018, at the age of 88 years. Blessed be her memory.

Barb is survived by her:
Children,         Brian and his wife, Ginger of Plymouth, MN,
                        Craig and his wife, Heidi of Shoreview, MN, and
                        Gretchen and her husband, Scott McLlarky of Fall City, WA;
Grandchildren, Amy (Jay Johnson) Johnson, James (Kristen) Sneltjes, Sarah Sneltjes, Anna Sneltjes, Erik Sneltjes, and Ella Sneltjes;
Great-Grandchildren, Jeremiah, Eli and David Johnson;
Sister-In-Law, Deanna Maxwell of Longmont, CO;
Other relatives and friends.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Hazel Little; husband, Arlen Sneltjes; sister, Margaret Anderson.