Eldon Snook

Eldon Snook, 81 of Grinnell and formerly of Montezuma entered the gates of Heaven, Sunday evening, March 15, 2026 at the UnityPoint Grinnell Regional Medical Center surrounded by his family. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am Friday, March 20, 2026 at the Trinity Lutheran Church near Malcom. Burial will be held in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will begin after 12:00pm Thursday, March 19, 2026 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in Montezuma with the family present from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Montezuma Fire Department. Holland-Coble Funeral Home of Montezuma is in charge of arrangements.

Eldon Ray Snook, the son of Lester and Eva (Tish) Snook, was born one of 11 children on February 6, 1945 in Montezuma, Iowa. He attended school at Montezuma and Grinnell before proudly receiving his GED in 1977. On May 19, 1962, Eldon was united in marriage to Eleanor "Ellie" Lidtka in Lancaster, Missouri. To this union four children were born, Christine, Michelle, Jason and Nicole. After Ellie's passing, Eldon married his second love of his life, Reca Thompson Ahrens on January 13, 2013 and gained two more children, Katie and Mac.

Eldon held various jobs throughout life from a farmhand, parts manager at Vannoy Chevrolet, and then worked several years as the Gas Superintendent, for the city of Montezuma retiring in 2015. But his favorite job was the 25 plus years in law enforcement serving Montezuma, Brooklyn and the rest of Poweshiek County. He also dedicated over 33 years with the Montezuma Fire Department where he didn't miss many calls. Eldon was also a council member at Trinity Lutheran Church where he served as President/Vice President for several years. He was also on the Montezuma Development Board serving as President for over 25 years and Eldon worked alongside his daughter, Michelle with remodel projects at Sunnyview. Eldon played many years of slow pitch softball, he was the starting pitcher for "Snookies 3 Wheelers". But above all, Eldon was proud of his family and enjoyed attending all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren's sporting events, school events and anything else they were involved in. Eldon and Reca also enjoyed traveling making several trips to Branson, Washington D.C. and Colorado just to name a few. Eldon and Reca enjoyed the freedom of the outdoors on their Harley Trike for many years.

His legacy will be cherished by his loving wife, Reca; his children Christine (Greg) Shaver, Michelle, Jason (Molly Ray) Snook and Nicole (Ron) Niedermann; Katie (Todd) Neleman and Mac (April) Ahrens; 17 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren plus two more on the way this year; one brother, Roy (Kathy) Snook; sister-in-law, Pat (Marvin Evans) Snook along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

Eldon is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ellie Snook and his siblings and their spouses, Frances Schillenger, Lucille (Walt) Tish, Floyd (Joan) Snook, Willis (Phyllis) Snook, Edward (Betty) Snook, Keith Snook, Gladys (Keith) Arthur; Betty (Marion) Van Dee and Donald Snook.

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