Jane Snedden

Jane (Ola Belle) Goodpaster Snedden, of Vinita, passed away at her home in Vinita Friday, December 6, 2019. She was born April 28, 1934 in Vinita to Craig and Olive (Allen) Goodpaster. Jane was a 1952 graduate of Vinita High School and continued her education at Principia College, Elsah, IL and then Oklahoma State University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. On December 26, 1954 Jane married the love of her life, Mike B. Snedden, in Vinita. After graduating from Oklahoma State, they moved to Sioux City, Iowa where they lived for two years. Jane taught school in Sioux City until 1959 when they moved back to the family ranch west of Centralia. As any good ranch wife would do, Jane fed countless cowboys and visitors to the ranch.  When her three children all reached school age, she returned to teaching.  She taught in the Miles, Centralia, White Oak, Vinita, and Chelsea School Systems.

From an early age, Jane enjoyed riding horses and was a member of the Tenderfoot Riders.  She traveled many miles on her beloved pony “Brownie” and especially loved the trail rides and campouts at the Kelley Ranch west of White Oak.   In 1951 Jane was the Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo Queen.   She was a life-long member of the Christian Science Society in Vinita, a member of the PEO Sisterhood and the Craig County CowBelles.   She had a special place in her heart for her husband, daughters, son, grandchildren and family. Jane was a very special lady that will be missed by all who knew her.

Preceding Jane in death are her parents, Craig and Olive Goodpaster; husband, Mike B. Snedden; siblings, Charles A. Goodpaster, Marguerite Shelton, and James D. Goodpaster.

Survivors include children, Sara Shelton and husband Jim, of Vinita, Marci Brunger and husband Craig, of Wagoner, Michael G. Snedden and wife Carla, of Afton; grandchildren, Tom Shelton and wife Leslie, Elizabeth Crow and husband Peter, Will Shelton, Mary Kate Craven and husband James, Emily Brunger, Aaron Brunger and wife Aubrey, Morgan Casso and husband Scott, Austen Hoover and wife Haley, Sophia Snedden; sisters, Sally Brandeberry of Denver, Colorado, Mary McCarty of Richland, Michigan; along with many other relatives and a host of friends.

A celebration of Jane’s life will be held on Saturday December 28 in the Welch Room of the Craig County Community Center from 2-4 pm.  Memorials in Jane’s name may be made to The Goodpaster Memorial Scholarship Fund; C/O Vinita Education Foundation, 114 S. Scraper, Vinita, Ok., 74301. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com or see our Luginbuel Funeral Home Facebook page.