Nellie Snobl, age 86, of rural Mahnomen, Minnesota, died Thursday, March 06, 2008 at her home.
Nellie Ellen Owens was born September 19, 1921 in Hot Springs, Arkansas, the daughter of James Calvin and Allie (Deaton) Owens. Although she spent most of her childhood years there, her family also resided in Nevada for a time while her father helped construct the Hoover Dam. Nellie married Evan Sims and through this union came her first born son, James. The family continued to make their home in Hot Springs. As a young woman, Nellie worked as a waitress at the Hot Springs Southern Club. It was there she met James Snobl. They were married in 1945 at the Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs. They moved to the Mahnomen area and made their home near Roy Lake east of Mahnomen, where they lived for over 50 years. Nellie was also blessed with four more sons; Daniel, John, Jerry and Douglas and two daughters; Carol and Dixie. She was a very dedicated wife and mother. While busy raising seven children she often helped her husband on the farm and with the sawmill. After her husband's death in 1998, Nellie continued to live in her home until she gently passed away.
Nellie served for many years as secretary of the White Earth Equal Rights Committee. She was a member of the Bejou Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Since 1978, Nellie was an active participant in a Colon Cancer Control Study for the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Nellie loved her flowers and taking time to work in the garden. She spent many hours canning, both meat and her vegetables. Nellie was an avid Elvis fan and loved to play cards with family and friends. She was passionate about politics and enjoyed a good debate. Nellie truly valued education and instilled this in all of her children and grandchildren. The knowledge and stories she shared will be missed by all who knew her.
Nellie is survived by five sons: James (Sharon) Sims of Thief River Falls, MN, Daniel (Mary) Snobl of Tracy, MN, John (Barbara) of Bagley, MN, Jerry (Linda) Snobl of Dixon, MO, and Douglas (Marlee) of Fisher, MN; two daughters, Carol (Ricky) Walker of Hot Springs, AR, and Dixie (Bill) Johnson of Anaconda, MT; 28 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; and one sister, Cecil Small of Hot Springs, AR.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James; one brother, Earl; three sisters: Margaret, E.J., and Betty; one daughter-in-law, Wanda Snobl; and two great grandsons, Karl and Owen Johnson.