Beverly Jean Formaro Snyder Wessel was born on August 13, 1937 to John & Irene Formaro in Des Moines, Iowa and passed away on March 25, 2024, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center surrounded by her family.
Beverly grew up in Des Moines, Iowa. In 1953 Beverly married Gerald Vernon Snyder, Sr. and to them two sons, Gerald Vernon Snyder, Jr. (Vernie) and John Edwin Snyder Sr., were born. In 1988, she married Thomas A. Wessel. She retired after many years of service as Head Janitor from Des Moines Public Schools.
She was a great cook and loved to cook big meals, always with leftovers. Everyone would take an ice cream bucket home and she would say “bring your ice cream buckets” for the next time.
Beverly and Tommy liked to fish and would camp at Crabtree Campground, Little River and 12-Mile for weeks at a time with family and friends.
She was active in her church, was a fabulous collector, loved Avon, and could be found shopping in the clearance aisle. Beverly was everybody’s “Grandma” and took care of everyone. Often times, she would buy entire carts of the Blue Light Specials at K-Mart and was known to always have shoes, socks, t-shirts, etc., and other grocery item specials from Aldi, HyVee and Fareway.
Beverly was preceded in death by her husband(s) Tommy Wessel and Gerald V. Snyder Sr., son Gerald V. Snyder Jr., daughter-in law Betty Snyder, parents John & Irene Formaro, brother Tony Formaro and beloved dog Zorro that had Tommy’s eyes.
Beverly leaves to cherish her memories, Son John Snyder; Grandson’s Gerald W. Snyder (Patti), Alvan Snyder (Andrea), Edwin Snyder (Mindy), John Edwin Snyder Jr., and Matt Snyder; Granddaughter’s Jessica Snyder (Adam Madden) and Deena Snyder; 16 Great grandchildren, 4 Great-great grandchildren; Brother’s Frank (Crystal) Formaro and Gary (Vicki) Formaro; Special friends Mary Kirkwood and Sherry Parkhurst, as well as many Nieces, Nephews, other relatives and many friends.
She would always say, “It’s Grandma” and then ask “What’re you doin?”
In lieu of flowers, the family asks to donate to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Visitation
Saturday, March 30, 2024
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Merle Hay Funeral Home Chapel
4400 Merle Hay Road
Des Moines, IA
Funeral
Saturday, March 30, 2024
11:00 a.m.
Merle Hay Funeral Home Chapel
4400 Merle Hay Road
Des Moines, IA
