Pam Snell

Wednesday, November 9, 2016 3:12 pm

Pam Snell, 55, of Decorah, died suddenly Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minn. Services were at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at Decorah Lutheran Church, with Rev. Dave Sorenson and Rev. Charis Combs-Lay officiating. Organist was Kathy Murray. Hymns were “Beautiful Savior,” “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art.” Special music was “His Eye is on the Sparrow” and “In the Garden.” Casket bearers were Pam’s nieces and nephews. Interment was at Burr Oak Cemetery.

Pamela Jean Snell was born Sept. 11, 1961, the daughter of Merlin and Mae Georgianna Bernelle (Amundson) Snell in Decorah. Pam attended North Winneshiek School and was active in chorus, band, softball and was the yearbook editor. She graduated in 1979 and that summer she lived in Norway for six weeks. Pam then went to Luther College and graduated with a degree in nursing in 1983. While at Luther, she was in the Luther Choir.  Pam then went on to work at the Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minn., as a nurse in the ear, nose and throat department. She retired in 2014. Pam loved to travel and Norway was always a favorite destination; she went on the trip with the Luren Singers last year. Pam was an avid reader, loved her cats and dogs and was a generous aunt to all her special nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. When her parents needed help in their later years, she was there to care for them. She cared for them as well as working full time. She had a special talent to care for elderly people with her kind and gentle ways.  Pam loved to cook and try new recipes; the Lawrence Welk Show; and genealogy. She loved and embraced her Norwegian heritage, especially events at the Vesterheim Museum, Nordic Fest and Luther College. Pam was a former member of the Mabel Lutheran Church and recently had been attending Decorah Lutheran Church. She will be missed by her family.

Pam is survived by her three brothers and one sister: Larry (Corinne) Snell, Wausau, Wis.; Dr. Randall (Susan) Snell, Lewiston, Minn.; Jolyn Mikesh, Decorah; and Frank Snell, Decorah; nephews and nieces: Dr. Benjamin (Megan) Snell, Emily (Dr. Paul) Block, Stacy (Dr. Jason) Lunden, Heather Erwin, Jeremy (fiancé, Crystal Christopher) Snell, Jonathan (Michelle) Snell, Joshua (Morgan Meyer) Snell and Tyler (Mariana Duarte) Mikesh; great nieces and nephews: Lauren and Julian Snell, Isaiah and Elsa Block, Ida and Ingrid Lunden and Madelyn Erwin. Aunt: Joan Amundson, Decorah; three cousins: Pat (Robin) Flynn, John (Hilde) Hughes and Jim (Carol) Hughes.

Pam was preceded in death by her father, Merlin Snell, April 18, 2013; and her mother, Bernelle Snell, Jan. 9, 2015; her brother-in-law, Steve Mikesh; and her uncle, Bud Amundson.