Norma J. Sneesby

Norma Jean Sneesby, age 91, of Lake Preston, SD, passed away Saturday, June 3, 2023, at the Neighborhoods at Brookview in Brookings, SD. 

Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 PM on Friday, June 9, 2023, at Lake Preston Lutheran Church. Lay Pastor William Buck will officiate with music provided by Jodi Jensen as organist as well as Tammy Steiner and Ryan Eichler as vocalists. Active pallbearers are Rustin Albrecht, Denver Albrecht, Mikinley Albrecht, Michael Neilson, Bradley Sneesby, and Joshua Deknikker. Honorary pallbearers are Norma's granddaughters and great-grandchildren. The service will be livestreamed via the Crawford-Osthus website.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM on Thursday, June 8, 2023, at Lake Preston Lutheran Church.

Burial will take place at Lake Preston Cemetery following the funeral.

Norma Jean Holland was born on the family farm south of Lake Preston on March 8, 1932, to Clarence and Beatrice (“Babe” Mohror) Holland. Being the first of three children, she was joined by siblings Ardell and Donald. She was also blessed by a half-brother, Clarence Holland, Jr. Norma was baptized and confirmed at the Lake Preston Lutheran Church. She often said her life existed between Lake Preston and the farm where she was raised. She received her elementary education at the country school just a mile away and graduated from Lake Preston High School in 1950. Her peers voted her best in popularity, best dressed, biggest flirt, and cut-up along with other titles.

The only time she ventured from the farm was to Colorado Springs, CO, for a short time following graduation where she worked in the supply department at the Air Force Base. She returned home and married Robert Sneesby on May 20, 1951, at the Lake Preston Lutheran Church.

The farm had always been close to her heart. She would spend many hours alongside her dad helping with chores and other farmwork. This developed into a great love for cattle and horses which she carried into her married life. She and Robert farmed southeast of Oldham for a short time before returning to her childhood home in 1958, and continued to farm there. She especially liked driving the silage truck in the fall.

Norma and Robert became co-owners, along with Don and Beverly Stevens, of the Family Trading Post in Lake Preston providing the community with “department store” type shopping. She and Robert also managed her father’s Sunset Supper Club in Huron along with her brother, Donny.

Her devotion to the Lake Preston Lutheran Church was evident as she was one of the members instrumental in getting the new church building. She also served as superintendent of the Vacation Bible School. The Lake Preston community also benefited from her service as one of the officers for the first Lake Preston All-School reunion in 1968.

Her Lord and her family were dear to her heart. She especially loved Christmas when they would come to her house to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The cabin at Lake Poinsett was another favorite gathering place. Norma wanted her family to have a cabin at the lake, despite not being able to swim. No matter where, she enjoyed cooking for her family or whoever else dropped in. For 22 years, Norma and Robert spent their winters in Casa Grande, AZ. While there, they were able to watch as her brother Donny participated in roping at rodeos held nearby.

Norma enjoyed her flower beds, landscaping, and riding around the farm in her 4-wheeled vehicle inspecting flowers, cattle and all other activity that might be happening. She looked forward to visits from her family, especially from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her children: Rhonda (Paul) Danielson, Sherry Neilson, Bryan (Stacia) Sneesby all of Lake Preston and Bonita (Greg) Albrecht of De Smet; eleven grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; one sister, Ardell Tolzin; one half-brother, Clarence Holland, Jr.; sisters-in-law, Mavis Denofsky and Rosella Holland; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her parents, Clarence Holland and Beatrice Henriksen; one brother, Donald Holland; her parents-in-law, Lewis and Lillian Sneesby; son-in-law, Mark Neilson; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; and one great-grandchild, Lillian Hutsen.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel                                          www.crawfordosthus.com

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