Mary Snorek Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

The following funeral information and obituary is brought to you by the Johnson Funeral Home of Waconia, MN. For more information, please visit Mary's page at https://www.johnsonfh.com/obituary/mary-snorek ~~~ Mary A. Snorek, 78, of Bertha passed away Saturday, April 25, 2026 at the Carver Ridge Senior Living in Carver. Memorial Service will take place Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at the Johnson Funeral Home (141 E 1st St) in Waconia with Rev. Matthew Barry as officiant. Visitation from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Interment in Nashwauk Cemetery in Nashwauk, MN at a later date. Mary grew up on the Iron Range in northern MN. She attended Nashwauk Elementary and Nashwauk-Keewatin High School. She went on to attend Bemidji State College where she met her husband Don during music classes they attended together. They were married on June 14th 1970. They moved to Bertha, MN shortly after their marriage to start jobs with the Bertha-Hewitt School system. They welcomed their children Susan and Michael a few short years later. Mary was a music educator in Bertha-Hewitt for 34 years. She taught K-12 vocal music, voice lessons, swing choir, and piano lessons throughout her career and after her retirement. She was Teacher of the Year in 1987. She was inducted into the Bemidji State University Education Hall of Fame in 1996. She was an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma, even being president of the organization for many years. She was on the Minnesota State High School League Arts Committee for many years. Her love for music education and its importance has had a profound impact on many. Her Christian faith and involvement in church was a central part of her life. It was instilled in her by her parents when she was a young child. She surrounded herself throughout her life with scripture and hymns. She emulated the teachings of Jesus Christ in her everyday life. She played the organ and piano for church services, Sunday school classes, weddings, funerals, and vacation bible school in towns and congregations too numerous to name. After retirement in 2004 she found enjoyment in quilting, crocheting, knitting and creating of any kind. She spent many hours swimming at the pool and then having coffee and conversation time with her friends. You would rarely find her without her ipad full of books, 1750 titles strong. Most of which she had read multiple times. Her favorite book series were the Outlander books. Mary will be remembered for her Christian Faith, her endless love for her family and friends, and for inspiring both young and old to "Sing like no one is listening, Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody's watching, and live like it's Heaven on Earth". Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Per and Norma Weggum; sister Judith (Dean) Larson; father-in-law and mother-in-law Richard and Elaine Snorek. Mary is survived by her loving family: husband Donald; children Susan Snorek of Chanhassen, Michael (Amber) Snorek of Salt Lake City, Utah; grandchildren Ethan Snorek, Corbin Snorek, Colton Bladow, Connor Bladow, Patrick Snorek; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Robert (Sharon) Snorek of Fergus Falls; nieces and nephews Kristin (Paul) White, Karin Larson, Joanne (Mo) Story, James (Marissa) Larson, Rachael (Susan) Balthaser, Allison (Joseph) Kamen, Colin (Elissa) Snorek; other relatives and friends. (Arrangements are with the Johnson Funeral Home located at Waconia, MN. For more information, please visit Mary's page at https://www.johnsonfh.com/obituary/mary-snorek)

Mary Snorek

August 11, 1947 - April 25, 2026