BETTY BONNELLE SNETHEN

Betty Bonnelle (Hammond) Snethen was born on February 18, 1929, to Lois Ailene (Linkey) and Roy Lee Hammond. She was the oldest of the four siblings.
Betty was introduced to her husband, Joe, by her friend, Roena (Snethen) Adams, Joe’s sister, after he’d returned home from his Army service in World War II. Betty and Joe were married November 11, 1946, in Atchison, KS and shared nearly 70 years together in the Midwest before he passed on March 27, 2016.
Betty enjoyed playing cards, visiting with friends and cooking for her family. She was a thoughtful, sweet and mild-mannered social butterfly who always kept in touch with her friends and family, never forgetting to send a card or reach out on their birthdays. She was known for her humble demeanor, generosity and distinguished grin.
While raising three children with Joe in Mount Ayr, IA, Betty worked for the ASCS office. The family moved to Indianola, IA, in 1965 and Betty worked for the City of Indianola as a clerk. After moving to Wisconsin in 1973, she worked for the Wisconsin Cheeseman. When her husband, Joe, retired in 1984, they returned to Mount Ayr where she returned to the ASCS office part-time.
Betty was a member of United Baptist-Presbyterian Church and American Legion Auxiliary. As a volunteer with the VFW Auxiliary, she prepared and served meals at the Mount Ayr Race Track while it was in operation. Betty also served on the Steering Committee of the Ringgold County Senior Citizens Activity Center when it was in its infancy. For seven years, she served as Treasurer of the Activity Center and on Wednesday afternoons, she regularly stepped in as hostess for games of pitch, which she loved.
Betty and Joe relocated to Maple Ridge Assisted Living in February 2016. After Joe’s passing, she enjoyed putting together puzzles, especially when her daughters, Janet and Cyndi, would visit, watching golf on TV with her son, Jeff, and engaging in activities and visits with fellow residents.
Betty moved to Mount Ayr Health Care Center on March 19, 2020, where she peacefully passed on April 7, 2020, under the care of Hospice. Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Joe; sisters, Berniece Lent and Barbara Coffman; and brother, Bob Hammond.
Left to cherish her memory are her children; Janet (Lyle) Hogue and Cyndi (Gail) Mapes of Mount Ayr and Jeff Snethen of Wisconsin; grandchildren; Lyle Kevin (Ann Smith) Hogue, Tyanne (Bob) Carey, Shonn (Roni) Mapes, Chadd (Pam) Mapes, Justin (Rachel) Snethen and Bobbi Jo (Michael Davidson) Snethen; great grandchildren; Brady and Jacey Carey, Jude Hogue, Andrew Snethen and Grayson Mapes. Also left are cousins along with many nieces and nephews. Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr is in charge of the arrangements.
Private services were at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2020 at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr, IA.
Officiating was Pastor Bill Armstrong.
Special songs were “I Can Only Imagine” by Amy Grant and “Hallelujah” by Pentatonix.
Casketbearers were Lyle Hogue, Gail Mapes, Lyle Kevin Hogue, Shonn Mapes, Chadd Mapes and Bob Carey.
Betty was laid to rest at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr, IA.
Memorials are to the Ringgold County Senior Citizens Activity Center and  EveryStep Hospice.