Francis (Frank) Kay Snook's Obituary
Francis (Frank) Kay Snook was born at home in Union Township, Lucas County Iowa onDecember 13, 1937. He was the third son of Amy (Mundell) and Alva Kay Snook, joiningbrothers John and Bill.
As a boy, he attended McMains Country School, which was the source of many amusing andinteresting stories about country school life. His teacher loved sharing the story about the cute,little redhead (Francis) who would sit on her lap during the school day, reading to his teacher bythe time he started kindergarten. This love of learning was life-long for Francis. In the yearsbefore the Snook family got a TV, Francis could be found reading the dictionary, leading to anextensive, and sometimes unexpected vocabulary.
The family moved to the Snook Family Farm in Washington Township, Wayne County when hewas in fifth grade. He graduated from Cambria School in 1956, alongside a tight-knit group of10 other classmates who remained close friends, meeting yearly for the past 65 years. Franciswas voted "wittiest" by his graduating class, a trait that he carried with him throughout life.Francis served in the United States Army Reserves until he was honorably discharged in April1966 to be of service to the family farm. He, along with his brothers, owned and operated SnookBros. Angus Farm, where he spent countless hours, jubilantly tending cattle and taking care ofthe land. He loved all animals, especially his Angus cattle. Over the years, he tended to hogs,horses, many dogs, and more. He could often be seen driving around in his pickup truck with histrusty dog.
The best partnership of his life started when he married Beverly Collins in 1969. To thisdevoted marriage, were born four daughters, the pride of his life: Katherine, Jennifer, Meganand Ashley. For most of their 53 years of marriage, they lived in Cambria, where they havebeen active members of the community. Francis was always willing to help a neighbor,especially with farm or cattle projects. He spent many hours enthusiastically planning the nextCambria Celebration or Cambria Alumni Banquet and took a great deal of pride in putting onevents that honored the communities and people he enjoyed.
Francis had many passions and felt deep pleasure in the simple joys of life. He loved quiet,contemplative mornings with the sunrise and ending a full day of work with a peaceful sunset.He loved his cowboy boots- a well-worn pair for work, and a well-shined pair for town. Hesavored a good cup of coffee with friends, a hearty discussion about politics, a tasty piece ofpie, and a spectacular performance of The Star Spangled Banner. He treasured the Americanflag, and has written many eloquent essays speaking on the sound of the flag, billowing in thewind.
As a self-taught auctioneer, he devoted many hours to this passion, through planning,advertising, and recruiting the best help and food vendors for each auction to ensure success.He was dedicated to a job well-done and didn't rest until he was satisfied with the results, nomatter the task. He valued and enjoyed working hard throughout his life, not retiring until theage of 75. Sometimes even working 22 hour long days leading up to retirement.
He loved the land and all creatures on it, spending many hours tending to the acres he farmedwith his brothers, feeding the birds, and being especially delighted by hummingbirds. When thefarm crisis took its toll, Francis made the most of it and along with a group of neighbors, went towork nights for Vermeer in Pella for several years. During this time, he stayed devoted andinvolved in his family by keeping a family journal that had its place on the kitchen table for all toparticipate in.
Francis was passionate about history and his country, and from these two passions came alevel of true patriotism that led him to be involved in many campaigns and issues that he careddeeply about. He embodied his values and led by example by dedicating countless hours tocommunity projects, such as tending to the Cambria School, the Pioneer Cemetery Group, KirbyPark in Cambria, trustee for Washington Township, and enthusiastic participation in WayneCounty Democrats. He was proud to be from Iowa and had an annual tradition of attending theIowa State Fair, where he would spend hours enjoying the animals, steer shows, and a goodmeal at the Cattlemen's Beef Quarters. Iowa Public Radio and IPTV were also important toFrancis, who proudly contributed to both during fundraising season.
He had a lifelong love of music, playing clarinet and tuba in the school, American Legion andRussell Old Time bands, and singing in the choir at school. He was a proud member of theAmerican Legion band when they marched in the Legion's National Convention in St. Louis in1953. This love continued through his children and grandchildren as he thoroughly enjoyedattending their musical events over the years.
A farmer-philosopher, he carried a notebook with him wherever he went so that he would nevermiss the opportunity to write down his deep thoughts or quick witticisms. He delighted in sharingthese with friends and family over the years. An avid journaler, he kept these deep thoughts,witticisms, and other eloquent compositions in journals, which will be forever treasured by hisfamily.
Francis was warm-hearted and genuinely loved people. He could find or make a friendanywhere he went. His eyes lit up when chatting with his daughters, sharing wisdom with sons-in-law, playing games with his grandkids, and spending time with Bev. He was a lovinghusband, an adoring father, a supportive father in-law, and a doting grandfather who celebratedeach and every family event with pride. He loved traveling far and wide to attend sporting eventsfor grandchildren and he developed many lasting friends he met while sitting on the bleachers atthese events throughout the years.
He leaves a legacy of kindness, service to community, devotion to family, farming, andfriendship, hard work, humility, thoughtfulness, playful optimism, the ability to whistle any tune,and a knack for finding humor in any situation.There are many quotes that could be used to describe Francis's life, but perhaps the mostfundamental would be: "If you want to change the world, go home and love your family." OnApril 11, 2023, he passed peacefully in his home, surrounded by his family.
He leaves behind wife of 53 years, Beverly; four daughters: Katherine, Jennifer, Megan andAshley; sons in-law: Dennis Storm, Kevin Hall, Travis Lautner, and Chris Downs; sevengrandchildren: Taylor & Trevor Storm, Token & Traejen Hall, and Kayne, Kaylyn and CambriaLautner, as well as a plethora of nieces, nephews, in-laws and relatives.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00AM on Friday, April 14, 2023 at Thomas Funeral Home- Corydon with Diane Olson Schroeder officiating. Interment will follow the service at Cambria Cemetery. Visitation will take place on Thursday, April 13, 2023 with the family greeting friends from 5-7PM at Thomas Funeral Home Corydon, Memorials have been established to Every Step Hospice and Cambria Cemetery "Flags", and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Francis Snook Family, 303 East Jefferson Street, PO BOX 294, Corydon, and Iowa 50060. Condolences may be shared online or on our funeral home Facebook page.
The service will be livestreamed at: https://my.gather.app/remember/francis-frank-snook
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