In Memory of

Warren

Snell

Obituary for Warren Snell

Warren Snell, age 100, passed away on March 17, 2021 at Edgewater in West Des Moines, Iowa. Due to Covid-19 concerns, a private family service will be at Asbury United Methodist Church in Webster City with a burial at Graceland Cemetery.

Warren was born in Webster City, Iowa, on January 26, 1921. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1938. Shortly thereafter, he began farming what would later be recognized as an Iowa Century Farm in Hamilton County. He met his wife-to-be, Arline Larson, at a 4-H rollerskating outing in Fort Dodge. They were happily married for 81 years, sharing in the hard work of farm life, raising their family, enjoying a large circle of friends and travel adventures all over the U.S. and overseas. At one time, he was part of a delegation that traveled to Ukraine to share farming practices with local farmers.

In addition to farming, Warren was a community leader. He belonged to Farm Bureau, was on the Wright County REC Board, and served in electric cooperative work for over 25 years. For 14 years, he was board president of Corn Belt Power Cooperative, a provider of wholesale electrical energy to 13 cooperatives and several municipalities in north-central Iowa. In 1998, an expanded electrical substation in Duncombe was named in his honor.

Warren enjoyed boating, fishing, camping, and his daily coffee groups. He was a long-time member of the Asbury United Methodist Church, where he served on a variety of committees. He enjoyed his volunteer work there and at the Webster City library.

Warren is survived by his loving wife, Arline, son Gary Snell (Carolyn), daughter Jan Draper (Ron), grandchildren Cynthia Snell (Efren Santos), Justin Draper, Diana Hawkins (Tim), and great-grandchildren Gretchen, Blaine, Grant, Ella, and Amelia. He was predeceased by his parents Clinton and Elizabeth Snell, and his sister LaVonne (Wendell Elliott.)

Warren and Arline moved to West Des Moines in 2015 to be closer to their son and granddaughter. Family was always their priority. Over the years, he was blessed with countless celebrations and gatherings. In his final days, he was surrounded by loved ones in-person and in-spirit.

Memorials in Warren’s honor can be given to Macular Degeneration Association, 5969 Cattleridge Boulevard, Suite 100, Sarasota, FL 34232 or online at www.macularhope.org.