Maryetta Snakenberg

SIGOURNEY-Maryetta Elizabeth Snakenberg, age 86, of rural Sigourney, died Sunday, January 12, 2025, at Manor House Care Center in Sigourney after a long and happy life.

 Maryetta was born October 17, 1938, to Lawrence and Edna (Pitsch) Hahn of East Pleasant Plain, Iowa. After graduating from East Pleasant Plain schools, she worked at Iowa Electric Light and Power in Fairfield. While at a local dance, Maryetta met a new dance partner and partner for life, Eugene Snakenberg. After a five-month courtship, the two were engaged and married on October 1, 1957.

 As is the case with many farm wives, Maryetta’s hands were seldom idle. When not helping with farm work and raising three children, she enjoyed baking, gardening, canning, quilting and all forms of needle work. She was a 4-H leader and was active with the Listen-a-Bit neighborhood club, St. Mary’s Altar and Rosary Society, the Sigourney Lions Club and the Keokuk County Historical Society. To the embarrassment of some, Maryetta never tired of bragging about her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. After Eugene’s death on April 12, 2007, Maryetta continued living on the farm and enjoyed rural living, pampering her dogs and hosting family dinners.

 She is survived by three children: daughter Marnita Beal (Gary Schaffner) of Millersburg, son Larry (JK) Snakenberg of Ottumwa and son Nick Snakenberg of Denver, Colorado; four grandchildren - Alyson (Cole) Henderson of West Liberty, Marshall Beal of Washington, Colton (Katie) Snakenberg of Ottumwa and Clay Snakenberg of Ottumwa; four great grandchildren - Evan Beal-Henderson of West Liberty, Emmett Henderson of West Liberty, Harper Beal of Washington and Ellie Sue Snakenberg of Ottumwa and sister Lynda (Ken) Krueger of Ollie. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and a niece, Deb Krueger.

 Memorial mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Sigourney, with Rev. Robert Lathrop presiding. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Sigourney. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at the church.

 In lieu of flowers, tributes in Maryetta’s memory can be made to the Keokuk County Historical Society. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Sigourney is caring for Maryetta and her family. Tributes may be made at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.