Bernard (Bernie) Sneller, 83 went to join our Lord and Savior on June 19, 2023.
He was born on May 31, 1940, to Ed and Luwina Sneller in Sioux Center, Iowa. He graduated from Central Lyon High School in Rock Rapids, Iowa with the class of 1958. Bernie was a true farmer, a modern-day Macgyver, and mechanic from a very young age. He took great pride in his work. He would never let anyone work on his things, and there wasn’t anything he couldn’t
figure out or fix. He continued his love for farming in Iowa and married Glenda Clarion Groen on February 5, 1960. Bernie and Glenda made their family home on a farm 10 miles north of Doon, Iowa, where they started a family of 9 children. In 1981 they moved to Dalhart, Texas where they continued farming, raising their children, and watching their grandchildren grow. Glenda passed away in May of 2012 After her passing, Bernie moved to Amarillo where he met and married his current wife, Sue Sneller, on March 28, 2013. Although he came with a big group already, he was blessed to add 4 more of Sue’s children to his existing family, totaling 13 children in all. Together, Bernie and Sue enjoyed the love of creating a beautiful yard, playing with Mickey and Pepper, watching Nascar, and finding new adventures and restaurants to try. Moving to Amarillo was a big step for him, but he managed to find a career that still fit into his love for agriculture. Bernie traded in his tractors for a semi-truck and began working for Thomas Redi Mix Co of Amarillo in 2013. It wasn’t the farm fields he had always loved, but his days still consisted of hard work, meeting new people, and of course a little bit of farm talk. Above all, Bernie was a devoted Christian and loved his Heavenly Father. He was a member of First Family Church in Amarillo, TX where he attended faithfully. Bernie’s legacy of love for God, his family, and hard work will be carried on throughout the lives of all of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His genuine smile, belly laugh, and impromptu piano concerts will forever be missed, but never forgotten. Bernie’s family and friends are all rejoicing with him as he is reunited with all of his dear loved ones that have gone before him.
Bernie was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Luwina Sneller of Doon, IA, brothers: William (Bill) Sneller of Laverne, MN, Henry (Hank) and Marie Sneller of Doon,IA, Elmer Sneller of Sioux City, IA, Louie and Shirley Sneller of Doon, IA, Nephews: Ed and Rob Sneller of Doon, IA, Granddaughters: Ashley Lynn Smith and Ariel Lucero of Dalhart, TX, Son-In-Law Casey Howell of Amarillo, TX and first wife, Glenda Sneller of Dalhart, TX.
He is survived by his wife, Sue Sneller of Amarillo, her children; daughters Tammy Pemberton and Dan of Jeff City. MO, Teri Pemberton and Micheal of Manitou Spring, CO, Jinger Guinn and fur babies of Amarillo, TX and son Aaron Pemberton and Serena of Kansas City, KS. Bernie’s children; son, Randy Sneller, wife Wanda of Dimmit, TX, daughter, Lori Porter and husband Paul of Frisco, TX, daughter Debbie Howell of Amarillo, TX, son Jeff Sneller and wife Janie of Dalhart, TX, daughter Lonna Frerich and husband Allan of Dalhart,TX, daughter Dawn Bitting and husband Robert of Broken Arrow, OK, son David Sneller and wife Kay of Dumas, TX, daughter Amy Smith and husband Larry of Dalhart, TX, and son Cory Sneller and wife Amber of Oklahoma City, OK. As Bernie would jokingly say, he has a “handful” of grandkids and great-grandchildren. 33 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren to be exact.
Services will be held at First Family Church, Amarillo TX, at 10:30 AM on Monday, June 26, 2023. Officiant of the service will be Pastor Billy Nickell. Following will be the graveside service at the Dalhart Cemetery at 3 PM in Dalhart, TX, officiating the graveside will be pastor Jerry Davis, former Dalhart pastor of People’s Church.
Bernie loved giving to his church and their mission fund. The family is requesting that any donations be sent to:
First Family Church Missions Fund
6101 Bell St.
Amarillo, TX 79109
Mr bernie,
was Always such a great site to see 1st thing n the yard in the mornings. He was Always so Uplifting & Positive Everday,, Always a kind Word & that wee laugh he would have,, He was a Good & Godly Man. & we ALL just Loved & Respected him So very much… Everyone was a Friend to Mr Bernie,, Everyone . He was always good to do anything at work they asked of him. His presence will be Greatly Missed But yet we All will think of him ever day,,,
Thank you Mr Bernie for your Awesome Friendship & Great Smile..
Sue & Family, We certainly were very saddened to learn of Bernie’s passing. He was such a great friend and we will always cherish our memories of him — a wonderful smile and a great sense of humor! Dewayne always enjoyed visiting with Bernie during the races and having conversations later in the week about different drivers and all the winners. One memory of mine (Harriet) is one very chilly Saturday evening at the local racetrack, Bernie came in eating a BIG ice cream cone. I said something about the cold weather and Bernie was quick to tell me that cold weather is the best time to have ice cream! He is my kind of friend as I too am an “Ice Cream nut”! Please know you will be in our thoughts and prayers. May God’s Spirit comfort you during the days which follow. Love from two Kansas kids to another sweet Kansas kid!!
Dewayne & Harriet Powell
Thoughts and prayers for everyone. Bernie was one of the nicest men I have ever known. Everyone who knew him were blessed. Heaven is a little sweeter for sure.
Love and many blessings,
Rhonda Brewster