Irene Snyders

Irene (Wagner) Snyders, age 87, passed away peacefully Thursday October 15, 2026, at Pleasant View Lutheran Home in Ottawa, Illinois, surrounded by her family. Her passing came just six weeks after celebrating her 69th wedding anniversary with her beloved husband, Richard.

Irene was the youngest of 9 children born to Henry and Mable Wagner in 1939 in Chicago IL. She attended Peck Park grade school. After graduating from Gage Park High School she married Richard Snyders in August of 1957. Richard would often brag that he escorted Irene to 4 high school proms. They eventually moved to Long Grove, Iowa where they raised 6 kids: Pete (Jill) Snyders, Mike (Kim) Snyders, Tom Snyders, Jeff Snyders, Kathleen Geiger, and Karen (Dennis) Hughes. She loved her 10 grandchildren: Amanda Snyders, Nick Snyders, Kendra Hughes, Mason Snyders, Macee Hughes, Dustin Snyders (Alyssa), Jacob Snyders (Francessca) , Gannon Hughes (Kylee), Jack Snyders, and Garett Geiger, and 1 great grandchild, Hazen Hughes.

In her school years, Irene was involved in Girl Scouts, volleyball, water ballet, choir and cheerleading. She was named Athletic Queen in 1956 at Gage Park High School. As a young wife and mother, she was active in community musicals and plays. Irene was the heart of a busy household, raising six children alongside her husband, Richard, affectionately known as "Coach." She was a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts and was a favorite room mother for each of her kids grade schools throughout the years. Irene was a lovely woman who always saw the best in people and wanted the best for people. She often borrowed a phrase from Mr. Rogers who inspired people to "look for the helpers" in times of trouble.

Irene and husband Richard moved to Ottawa, Illinois to own and operate the Surrey Motel from 1974 to 1980. She later became an owner of the Ottawa Diet Center from 1982-1990. Upon retirement, Irene was a master gardener, keeping the City of Ottawa in beautiful bloom with the Ottawa Garden Club.

During summers at Washington Park downtown Ottawa, Irene and Richard could be found showing off their dancing prowess with the bands at Music in the Park. Irene had a contagious laugh (the kind where you cry you are laughing so hard) with her husband that continued up to her final days.

Irene is preceded in death by her son Tom Snyders, parents Henry and Mabel Wagner, and siblings Hank, Melissa, Ed, Gladys, Jim, Lawrence, Dorothy, and Elenore.

A Celebration of Life event honoring the life and times of Irene Wagner Snyders will take place on Saturday, November 7th, 2026 from 1-3PM. Donations can be made in honor of Irene Snyders to the Alzheimer's Association : https://donorservices.alz.org.