Margaret (Donelson) ELLSWORTH SNODGRASS

ELLSWORTH, DONELSON, SNODGRASS, SVENSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/12/2016 at 23:20:43

October 18, 1915 ----- July 1, 2014

Margaret Donelson Ellsworth Snodgrass, age 98, passed away on July 1st at Valley View Village. She was born 18 October 1915 in Wright County as the first of the third generation of her father's (William) family to live there. Her mother, Ellen (Svenson), was a Swedish immigrant. Margaret was the eldest of four daughters, and graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1931. About this time, early in the depression, the family moved to Des Moines, for many of the same reasons that other families left their farms. This was just the beginning of her travels. Within two years she and her sister, Mildred, made their way to Denver where Mildred married. Margaret continued west, and by 1937, she was in Los Angeles, California. There she was introduced to a sailor also from Iowa, Dale Ellsworth, and they married within three weeks of meeting. They only had four years together and spent it traveling with the Navy. Her son, David, was born in Bremerton, Washington, and daughter, Patricia, in Jacksonville, Florida. During this time World War 2 began. Dale rose through the ranks from Yeoman to Yeoman Chief, and then to Lieutenant (jg) until he was killed in the Pacific, age 28, in August 1943.

This began the second significant chapter in Margaret's life as a single parent and sole provider for her young family. We all acknowledge the great job she did during those years, raising her children and always holding down a full time job. Initially she trained at American Institute of Business and, on completion, she joined Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, and latterly Rock Island Transport. Once her children left home, Margaret had the opportunity to develop many interests that sustained her through the years that followed. In her latter years she met and married a widower, Ray Snodgrass who predeceased her in 1992. While together they bowled in many of the local leagues in Des Moines, fished in most Iowa & Minnesota lakes, and up into Canada. Also, Margaret began painting in acrylics and oils. Her bowling high point, at age 85, was winning the 'high average' league trophy with her best score since age 18, and for which she received a bonus of a Women's Bowling Assn. wrist watch. She was a long time member of the congregation of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Ankeny. Margaret continued to be self sufficient, driving and shopping up to early 2013.

Of the four Donelson sisters, only Gladys (95) remains. Additionally, Margaret is survived by her son and daughter, and by 7 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. The traveling bug is still evident in the family with 4 of her grandchildren residing outside the USA, and her 12 great grandchildren spread around the globe with 2 in Germany, 4 in Australia, 3 in California, 2 in Missouri and 1 still in Iowa.

The family would like to thank Unity Point Hospice, Valley View Village, Leo and Marguerite Renard, Lin McGlynn, John Hutchinson, and especially Lois Lombard, RN, for the friendship & support given to Mom over the years and in her final months.

A memorial service will be held at The Chapel, Valley View Village, Friday, July 11th, 2014 from 2:00 - 2:30 p.m., with refreshments after. In lieu of flowers, per Margaret's request, donations may be made to Hope Ministries and the Animal Rescue League.

Des Moines Register -- Iowa
July 5, 2014