Irene Snapp

Irene Lucille Snapp, 85, formerly of Forreston, passed away Saturday, November 10, 2012 at West Ridge Care Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa after a lingering illness. Irene was born August 21, 1927 in Freeport, Illinois. She married Ralph H. Snapp at Forreston EUB Church on November 4, 1950. Irene raised her son, Dennis and daughter, Judy in Forreston. In August of 1970, she moved, with her family, to the Cedar Rapids, Ia. area where she lived the rest of her life. Irene was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Her trademark was her humor. Her Swiss heritage was evident in her attention to detail. When Irene was a teenager, on a babysitting assignment in Northern Illinois, the can she was using to fill a kerosene lamp caught fire. To prevent the fire from igniting the house, Irene ran outside with the flaming can, well away from the house. This caused severe burns to her right hand and arm. While many would use this as a disability, Irene saw it as a challenge and an opportunity to teach kids not to 'play with matches.' She had the innate ability to turn bad into good. Irene, whose husband affectionately referred to her as the 'Swiss Miss' worked various jobs successfully never complaining or giving her deformed hand and arm as an excuse. Irene'™s greatest joy in life was her grandchildren. She will be sorely missed by all who grew to know and love her, including the loving staff at West Ridge Care Center. Irene is survived by her son, Dennis (Valerie) Snapp of Hiawatha, Ia., daughter Judy (Pablo) Garza of Victoria, Tx.,Brother-in-law David (Eleanor) Snapp; Sister-in-law Eileen Snapp; Grandsons Pablo Axel Garza, Michael (Tracey) Garza, David Garza and Ryan Snapp; Granddaughters Stacy Snapp, Melissa Snapp and Vanessa Garza; Great-granddaughters Belle Sophia Garza and Audrey Rae Garza; Sisters, Marguerite (Charles) Roderick, Esther Leggett, Alice (Merle) Bawinkle, and Betty (Gerald) Koeller. In addition to her husband, Ralph H. Snapp, Irene was preceded in death by her parents Godfrey and Freida (Krebs) Ingold, sister Dorothy Ingold, and infant brother Max Ingold. Visitation will be Tuesday, November 13, 2012 from 10am-12noon at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home, 203 3rd Avenue, Forreston, Il. Irene will be laid to rest next to her husband, Ralph H. Snapp in White Oak cemetery, Forreston, Il at a private interment. A memorial has been established in Irene'™s name. Visit the guest book at www.burketubbs.com