History & Staff
We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.
Our History
Snell-Zornig Funeral Home and Crematory was founded in 1937 by William F. Snell. His son Robert joined the family business in 1945. In 1949, after William's death Robert became owner of the business. In 1952, Robert R. Smith entered into the business with Mr. Snell. In 1963, Dennis Zornig joined the funeral home after graduating from the University of Minnesota and served his apprenticeship under the guidance of Mr. Smith. After Mr. Smith's retirement in 1975, Mr. Zornig purchased half of the business. In 1987 Mr. Zornig became the sole owner of the funeral home after Mr. Snell's retirement. In 2001 Dennis A. Lemke became a partner in the business. Most recently Ryan Veenstra became a partner in the business in 2004.
Since 1937, the funeral home has gone through some significant changes. In 1982, Mr. Snell and Mr. Zornig expanded the operation by building what is today the only funeral home in Camanche, Iowa. In 1985, Mr. Zornig completely remodeled the funeral home and added 1,500 square feet to the facility. In 1996, in response to a increase in cremation services, a crematory was added to the facility. Most recently in 1999, extensive updating and remodeling was done to the Clinton funeral home.
Our Valued Staff
Ryan Veenstra, Owner - Funeral Director
Ryan has lived in Clinton since moving here with his family in 1984 from the St. Louis area. Ryan graduated from Clinton High School in 1997, and graduated from Clinton Community College in 1999. Ryan attended and graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in September 2000. Ryan started his funeral service career at Snell-Zornig Funeral Home in 1997 helping with funeral services, visitations and cleaning vehicles. He became licensed in Iowa and Illinois in 2001. He later in January of 2004 became a partner into the business.Ryan is a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Clinton where he co-leads its GriefShare support group, the Clinton Rotary Club, volunteers in the classroom for Junior Achievement at Camanche Elementary School, board member of the Clinton Regional Development Corporation serving as its vice chair, and the Clinton Gyro Club. He is a member of Western Star Masonic Lodge #100 AF & AM, Camanche Masonic Lodge #60 AF & AM, Clinton Scottish Rite Bodies, KAABA Shrine, a member of the Clinton Shriner's Oriental Band, and past-President of the Clinton Hi-12 Club. He was a former member of the Clinton Community School District Education Foundation, and the ARCH Board of Directors. He served on the Clinton Riverboat Days committee from 2001-2009 and was Commodore of the 2007 festival. In May of 2015 he was the recipient of the Clinton Jaycees Distinguished Service Award. Ryan and his wife Whitney (Wisor) who is a 5th Grade teacher at Camanche Middle School live in Clinton along with their daughter Olivia and son Jackson "Jack". He is the son of Jim and Sally Veenstra of Clinton. In his spare time he enjoys watching the St. Louis Cardinals, photography, BBQ'ing on the Big Green Egg, playing golf, and coaching his daughter's little league team.
Jami Tack, Owner - Funeral Director
Jami Tack relocated to Clinton, Iowa, after graduating from college in 2009. She served her funeral director/embalming internship at Snell-Zornig Funeral Home with Ryan Veenstra as her preceptor. Jami obtained her full Iowa funeral director's license in 2010. Jami attended and graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in September 2009. In 2015, she reciprocated her funeral directors license to become an Illinois Funeral Director.Jami is a member of First United Methodist Church - Clinton and the Clinton Kiwanis Club. Jami and her husband Craig, who works for 3M in Cordova, live in Fulton with their two children Cara & Brandon. In her spare time Jami enjoys hanging out with her family and friends, camping, skiing, and canning home grown food from the local farmers market.
Mary Rupp, Family Service Counselor
Mary was born in Bellevue, Iowa and moved to Clinton with her family as a freshman in high school, graduating from Mt. St. Clare Academy. Mary started working at the Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes in 1996, working with her husband, Mike. Mike has been associated with Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes since 1993, bringing Mary in to help in 1996.Mary has had extensive training and experience in helping families with their pre-arrangements. Mary holds a designation of Certified Pre-arrangement Counselor, which is awarded to candidates that meet the study and testing criteria set by the National Funeral Directors Association. Mary also holds an Insurance License in both Iowa and Illinois, which is the preferred source of trusting guaranteed funerals.Mary is active in the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce, Mercy Hospital Foundation, YWCA, and Prince of Peace Parish. When she's not volunteering, Mary enjoys spending time with her family, bicycling, gardening and woodworking.
Dennis Zornig, (1941-2018)
Dennis a native of Rock Rapids, Iowa, has lived in Clinton since July 0f 1963. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in June of 1963 and served his apprenticeship under Robert H. Smith at the Snell-Smith Funeral Home in Clinton and received his Iowa license in July of 1964. He became a partner in the business in 1971.Dennis is a member of Clinton Rotary, Western Star Lodge #100 AF & AM, Clinton Scottish Rite Bodies, KAABA Shrine, and a member of the Clinton Hi-12 Club. He attends the First United Methodist Church. Dennis enjoys playing golf, fishing, and hunting. He has two children Matthew of Iowa City and Jennifer of Lawrence, Kansas, and three grandchildren.