Pauline Ruth Sneller

Pauline Ruth Sneller, 89 of Sioux City, Iowa, daughter of Earl and Ethel (Grotenhuis) Atkins, passed away Tuesday, November 28, 2023 peacefully in her sleep.  A Memorial Service will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, December 15, 2023 at the Grace United Methodist Church with Reverend John Christianson officiating.  A Reception will be held in the fellowship hall following services.  Burial will follow at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Sioux City. 
 
Pauline was born in Kansas City, Missouri on Jan 21, 1934. At the age of 9, she and her family moved to Pella, Iowa where she attended Pella High.
 
Pauline worked as the Secretary for the Pella City Clerk and was selected to ride on the City Office float for the annual Tulip Festival. During a Tulip Festival dance, she met the love of her life, Vernon Sneller. Both dressed in traditional Dutch attire and danced in wooden shoes.  They married four years later August 10, 1957, in Pella. Pauline and Vern were together from then on and celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on August 10, 2023.
 
After marriage, they lived in Pella, Woodward, Le Mars and Sioux City Iowa. Pauline and Vern raised 5 children: LeeAnn, Tim, Ron, Lisa and Michael.  They were both active in their church.  Pauline enjoyed participating in the choir, Hand Bell Choir and Women’s Bible Study at Grace United Methodist Church in Sioux City, Iowa.  Pauline and Vern also enjoyed square dancing and were committee members for their group named Skirts and Flirts. For a short time, they also ran a small business aptly named VP Enterprise.
 
A devoted mother and loving spouse, Pauline enjoyed beading, playing the piano and music of any form.
 
One of Pauline’s proudest achievements was heading up the Grace United Methodist Church Outreach Commission Refugee Program helping relocate five families from Vietnam and Cambodia.  In 1989, Pauline was awarded the Individual Governor’s Volunteer Award for providing outstanding volunteer service presented by Governor Terry Branstad at the Governor’s Annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony.
 
Pauline is survived by her children: daughter Lee Ann, sons Tim (Debbie), Ron (Rhonda), and Michael (Lori) of Sioux City, Iowa and daughter Lisa (Mike) Engeldinger, of Bellevue, Washington;  12 Grandchildren, Brysen Sneller, Sarah (Dagan) Davenport, Tim (Heather) Sneller, Cole (Marsha) Sneller, Nate (Missy) Sneller, Ronnie Sneller, Raven Sneller, Jessica Engeldinger, Ben Engeldinger, Brandon (Jazmine) Sneller, Karalynn Sponder, Kendra Ahrnkiel; and 5 Great-Grandchildren.
 
Also Surviving are brother Dr. Roger Atkins of San Francisco, California; brother and sister-in-law Lynn (Denise) Sneller, of Orange City, Iowa; sister-in-law Peggy Sneller of Grayslake Illinois; sister-in-law Rhoda Sneller of West Des Moines, Iowa.
 
Predeceasing Pauline are her parents and Vernon, her loving husband and constant companion.

 In lieu of flowers, or memorials, please send a donation to Grace United Methodist Church Food Bank - 1735 Morningside Ave, Sioux City, IA 51106 (712) 276-3452 Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.meyerbroschapels.com