Virgil D. Snell

Virgil D. Snell, age 83, of Decorah, Iowa, died Saturday, February 5, 2011 at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at Burr Oak Lutheran Church in Burr Oak, Iowa with Rev. Matt Larson officiating. Burial will be in the Burr Oak Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 P.M. Tuesday, February 8 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah and after 10 A.M. Wednesday at the church. Virgil Dean Snell was born January 20, 1928 on the Snell family farm in Bluffton Township, near Burr Oak, Iowa, the son of Paul and Myrtle (Pollitt) Snell. He attended the rural Snell school in Burr Oak Township through 8th grade and Canton High School. He was united in marriage with Hazel LuVerne Berg on June 13, 1948 at First Lutheran Church in Decorah, IA. This union was blessed with four children: Jacque, Kathy, Dianne and David. Virgil farmed the family farm for many years. Virgil and LuVerne moved to Decorah in 1985 and he continued to farm. For twenty years he also sold Pioneer Seeds. Virgil was a very active member of Burr Oak Lutheran Church, including Bible Study; he was also active in Rivers and Bluffs Classic Tractors, Monday Night Group, Team Rehab, Polka Club and numerous other community groups. Virgil and LuVerne were very gracious hosts at their home. They loved to entertain family and friends, particularly spending time with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also liked to cook and play cards. Virgil especially enjoyed going to the lake every summer with his whole family, first near Park Rapids, MN and then to Chetek, WI for many years; he also liked to fish. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife LuVerne on June 9, 2007; one sister Naomi Halweg; one brother Bob Snell; three brothers-in-law: Lloyd Berg, Selmer Peterson and Harold Dehning; and one sister-in-law, Gail Snell. Virgil is survived by his four children: Jacque (Marv) Larson of Palo, IA, Kathy (Bernell) Tollefsrud of Decorah, IA, Dianne (Larry) Headington of Decorah and David (Sue) Snell of Decorah; nine grandchildren: Bradley (Shandell) Larson of Ankeny, IA, Kimberley (Justin) Ross of Marion, IA, Daniel Tollefsrud (special friend Laurie Parrish) of Decorah, Adam (Tonya) Tollefsrud of Decorah, Heather (Heath) Williams of Mabel, MN, Nicole (Jimmie) Tatum of Pensacola, FL, Mark (Amanda) Headington of Decorah, and Kirsten Snell and Paul Snell of Decorah; sixteen great-grandchildren: Caleb and Cameron Larson, Kyan and Marley Ross, Tanner, Aidan and Josie Tollefsrud, Emma, Gwen and Kale Tollefsrud, Colby and Samantha Williams, Kaid and Kashton Headington, and Timothy and Aubrie Tatum; one brother, Neil (Lenora) Snell of Cedar Falls, IA; one brother-in-law, Paul Halweg of Burr Oak; and two sisters-in-law, Marjorie Dehning of Decorah and Caryl (Dean) Larson of Decorah. Memorials may be given to Burr Oak Cemetery.