Elda Alice was born on February 24, 1917 in the family home in Webster, MN. She was the middle of three children of William and Louise (Dimmermann) Sandman. Elda’s childhood years were spent in Webster, attending a one room school house, where the bull would always chase her to and from school. She later graduated from the eighth grade. As a young gal, Elda enjoyed the local radio personality, Slim Jim visiting the family.
In 1940, Elda’s family was installing electricity in their home, when she met a young man named, Herbert William Snell. Herb saw her picture sitting on the mantle and knew Elda was the one for him. On Tuesday, November 4, 1941 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster, MN, they exchanged wedding vows. They were blessed with six children, Carolyn, Henry, Sharon, Allan, Jerome and Sheila.
Establishing a homestead on a farm by Fish Lake near Lydia, Elda and Herb filled the days with the day-to-day chores of a farm until 1963. Moving then to a home in the Davis Addition in Shakopee until 1987, they then made the final move to a home in Prior Lake on Maple Lane. Together, they enjoyed fishing and hunting at the cabin and traveling. Herb passed away on January 27, 2005.
Most of Elda’s career was spent being a loving wife and nurturing mother to her children. In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, she also worked caring for the elderly at Valley View Nursing Home in Jordan, MN. Being a talented woman in the kitchen, Elda enjoyed canning the fruits of Herb’s vegetable garden. She also was famous for her cinnamon rolls. In her spare time, Elda loved to make quilts for each member of the family, pot holders, teddy bears and dolls. She also enjoyed crocheting, cross word puzzles, picking blue berries and taking pictures of everyone. Elda had a love for Dairy Queen treats.
Elda was a loving, caring, unselfish and gentle wife, mother and grandmother. A resident of Prior Lake, Elda Snell, age 94, was reunited with her husband in heaven on the early morning hours of Friday, February 3, 2012, with her family present at her side.
Forever loved, Elda will be deeply missed by her children, Carolyn (John) Bardon of Shakopee, Henry (Marion) Snell of Watertown, SD, Sharon Wormer of Jordan, Allan (Mona) Snell of Prior Lake, Jerome Snell of Prior Lake, Sheila (Scott) Will of Prior Lake; 20 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; 1 great, great-grandchild; many other loving relatives and friends.
Elda is preceded in death by her husband, Herb; great-grandson, Tanner Snell; son-in-law, Willard Wormer; sister, Gladys (George) Wagner and brother, Walter Sandman.
Pall bearers for Elda will be her grandchildren, Jason Snell, Jeff Snell, Mike Bardon, Eric Snell, Chris Will, Tim Wormer and Brandon Snell.
The Celebration of Life Service will be on Tuesday, February 7 at 11 a.m., with visitation two hours prior to the service all at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 5634 Luther Road, Prior Lake, MN. Pastor John P. Vaughn and John Stern will officiate. Elda will be laid to rest at St. Paul’s Cemetery in Prior Lake, MN.
