Barbara Ruth Crees

Barbara Ruth (Snethen) Crees, age 85, of West Des Moines, formerly of Ankeny, Iowa, passed away peacefully on January 30th, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was born on August 31st, 1940, the daughter of Jacob (Jake) Burt and Marjorie Marie (Freeman) Snethen in Davis City, Iowa.

Growing up, Barbara lived and worked on the family farm up until she graduated from Leon High School, class of 1959. After high school, she married her high school sweetheart, Larry Wayne Crees, in 1960, with whom she shared over 60 years of marriage. Larry and Barb moved to Ankeny, where she worked for the Ankeny Press Citizen and retired from DMACC, where she had many friends.

Barbara was best described as compassionate, nurturing, warm-hearted, deeply loving, feisty, and always had the most beautiful smile and positive attitude. She enjoyed taking walks around the block with her grandkids, spending time with her family on the farms, and traveling across the states on many camping trips. She also enjoyed going out to eat with her husband and friends, and loved going to the casino with Larry until the late hours of the night, Larry and Barb jokingly heckling the neighborhood kids.

Barb was loved by so many and will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

She was preceded in death by her late husband: Larry Wayne Crees on December 4th, 2024; and her parents: Jacob (Jake) and Marjorie Snethen.

She is survived by her children: Rick Crees, Scott Crees, and Conni Crees (Kelly Smith); two granddaughters: Kennedy Crees (Ahmad Soughar), and Skylar Crees; her sister: Norma Shoemaker; and many more nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association or to Wounded Warriors Project in Barb’s memory.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.caldwellparrish.com