Dorothy A. (Snetselaar) Neely (1927-2016)

NEELY, SNETSELAAR, RYAN, CARR, SOLOMON, HOMER, SQUAIRES, GRABER, BECKLEY

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 7/3/2016 at 09:56:01

Obituary From Adams Soderstrum Funeral Home, Story County, Iowa.

Dorothy A. Neely was born February 9, 1927 to John and Myrtle (Ryan) Snetselaar in Mitchellville, Iowa. Dorothy had three sisters and two brothers. Dorothy and Gayle Neely were married October 23, 1949 at the North Des Moines Reformed Church.

Dorothy was a beautiful, creative person with a big, tender heart. She was also a humble woman with a strong faith in God, always kind and generous.

Dorothy loved her family and was proud of her Dutch heritage. She grew up on a farm and knew a life poor in material things, but rich in family and community, the satisfaction of persevering, and an enduring faith. She loved to talk about the hard work and the simple living of those times, (sometimes to the groans of her grandchildren as she told yet another story about how life use to be).

For much of their lives, Dorothy and Gayle lived in Ankeny, Iowa, where they raised their four children, later moving to Slater, Iowa.

Dorothy gave her life in caring for others - her parents and in-laws, and her husband and children and grandchildren. She loved doing it and never asked anything for herself.

In later years, Dorothy and Gayle returned to the life they dreamed of on a little acreage in southern Iowa. Dorothy enjoyed nature and God's abundant creation, whether by hunting for wild mushrooms and wild fruit, or in the wonderfully productive gardens that she and Gayle grew. Her flower gardens were happy, colorful places and Dorothy took great pride in preserving and canning the food that they grew to enjoy and share with family and friends.

Dorothy was hard working, smarter than most of us ever realized, and was creative and artistic. She could be funny and mischievous, especially with her grandkids, and loved to talk to people. Nothing made her happier than getting the entire family together, for any reason or no reason at all.

Her friends will remember her for her warmth and kindness and generosity; her husband will remember her for the wonderful 66 years together, full of all the joys and sorrows that life brought their way; her children will remember her as a mother who always stood by their sides with love and support, no matter what; her grandchildren will remember her for all the good stories she told. We all knew that she loved us. She made that clear, and we will miss her dearly.

Dorothy passed away at 89 years of age on June 19, 2016 at The Madrid Home in Madrid.

Dorothy is survived by her husband, Gayle Neely of Sheldahl; her four children, Mike (Donna) Neely, Gary (Amy) Neely, David (Jean) Neely and Julie (Jeff) Carr; her eight grandchildren, Chasity Solomon, Ryan Neely, Luke Neely, Jason Neely, Mark Neely, Peter Neely, Ruth Horner and Sam Neely, 11 1/2 great-grandchildren; her sister, Grace (Bob) Squaires; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Betty Graber and Jeanette Beckley; and her brothers, Gordon Snetselaar and John Snetselaar.

Funeral Service
JUN 24. 10:00 AM
Slater Baptist Church
601 Story Street
Slater, IA, US, 50244

Graveside Service
JUN 24. 02:00 PM
Scotch Ridge Cemetery
1311 Scotch Ridge Road
Allen, IA, US

http://www.adamssoderstrum.com/
 

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