Joeleen J. Snyder

Joeleen J. Snyder

Jan. 2, 1940 - June 9, 2018

McCOOK, Neb. — Joeleen Jeanette (Oman) Snyder was born on Jan. 2, 1940, in North Platte, Neb., to Alfred and Rosie (Osborn) Oman. She was considered the New Years baby that year in the local papers. She grew up in Elim Valley, and attended Tallin Country School and Church, where she was an active member in this community. She later attended high school in Arnold starting her freshman year and participated in cheerleading, chorus and band. She was also a member of various high school and youth groups. She and her parents transferred their church membership to Morning Star in Roten Valley, and this is where she met the love of her life, Kenneth Lee Snyder. Joeleen graduated from Arnold Public School valedictorian of her class in 1957.

Joeleen and Kenny were united in marriage on Sept. 7, 1958, in Callaway, Neb., and began their early marriage in Gothenburg, Neb., where she worked as a secretary in an insurance office. She was also a rancher’s wife and was supportive of her husband’s work. Shortly thereafter, they moved to the family land in Roten Valley where they continued to ranch, have a dairy production, and farm. They were blessed with their first daughter, Rhonda Jo Lynn, in 1959 and blessed again in 1965 with their second daughter, Sharlyn Le Anne. They moved their ranching and farming production to family land in Elim Valley, where they were again blessed with their third daughter, Alanna La Von in 1970.

They attended Morning Star Methodist Church and were active members in this community.  Joeleen was a pianist for church services and was part of the Women’s Circle, Bible study groups, quilting clubs, and taught Sunday school and Bible school. She was also a motivational 4-H leader for her daughters and many young girls. She taught baking, cooking, grilling, sewing, photography, singing and bird watching. Her groups participated in many vocal and project exhibits locally, in Broken Bow and at the State Fair in Lincoln, Neb. Many of her young ladies received purple ribbons on their singing and various projects.  

Joeleen was a supportive wife to Kenny throughout their time in ranching. She and Kenny were a big part of the Mid-American Dairymen in their Grade B dairy industry. They attended yearly national conventions and enjoyed trips to Las Vegas, New Orleans, Orlando and many other places. They included their daughters in their trips and made wonderful family memories.

While Joeleen was raising her young family, she was an Avon Lady and enjoyed visiting with her neighbors with her children in tow. She also worked part-time at the Loup Valley Queen in Callaway, Neb. After Joeleen and Kenny made the decision to sell their livestock and equipment, she later worked part-time at the Arnold Sentinel newspaper as an article typist, and later full-time for an insurance company in Arnold. All the while they were faithful members to the Morning Star Community. In 1981, they helped in building an addition onto the Morning Star Church which included indoor plumbing and five classrooms.

Joeleen and Kenny moved to Indianola, Neb., in 1987, where she found employment at the McCook Gazette. They joined the Indianola Methodist Church and became actively involved. They enjoyed making new friends, all the while maintaining their close relationships from Arnold, Callaway and Morning Star. Joeleen and Kenny purchased their first home in 1989 and enjoyed this time together, would welcome people for visits and had many weekend visits with her daughters and their families.

Joeleen was a dedicated, supportive and caregiving wife to Kenny as he struggled with Multiple Sclerosis, as well as a dedicated daughter to her aging parents. She later became a full time ranch manager for the family land and continued to be an excellent steward to the land until her passing on June 9, 2018.

Throughout Joeleen’s lifetime, she was a big supporter of her husband, daughters and grandchildren, and would attend many sporting and musical events all throughout the years.  She and Kenny would enjoy dancing at the Elks Club in Broken Bow where they included their daughters and taught them how to dance, and they continued to enjoy dancing together throughout their marriage, and were known for their spirited and elegant dancing. She sewed many clothes for her daughters and grandchildren, including school clothes, prom dresses, wedding dresses, bridesmaid and flower girl dresses, many costumes, and her daughter’s Barbie dolls were adorned in her classy fashion sense and style.

Joeleen was preceded in death by her husband, Kenny on June 3, 1997; her in-laws, Claude and Irene Snyder; her parents, Alfred and Rosie Oman; an infant sister, Jo Ann Oman; and her step-granddaughter, Quinlynn Hulse.

Joeleen is survived by her three daughters: Rhonda and Dave Pinkerton (Beatrice, Neb.), Sharlyn and Jeff Coleman (McCook, Neb.), and Alanna and William Hulse (York, Neb.); her grandchildren: Robin and Eddie Leaders (Underwood, Iowa), Danielle Crow (Omaha, Neb.), Jacob Pinkerton and Sean Pinkerton (Beatrice, Neb.), Shayne Coleman and Candace Coleman (McCook), Cole Eiland and Kellsey Eiland (Lincoln, Neb.), Major Eiland, Edward Hulse, and Josie Hulse (York, Neb.); her great-grandchildren: Bryce Leaders and Camden Leaders (Underwood, Iowa); her sister-in-law and husband, Donna and Charles Myers (Callaway, Neb.), nieces and nephews, and many friends and neighbors.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, June 15, 2018, 10:30 a.m. at the Memorial United Methodist Church in McCook with Michael Roth officiating. Interment will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery of McCook. Memorials may be designated to the McCook Public Library in Joeleen’s name. Family and friends may leave online condolences at herrmannfh.com.  

Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel is entrusted with the arrangements for Joeleen.