The Sneva’s emigrated from Norway and settled in Grenora around 1913. They established the first lumber yard and proceeded to build a good share of the buildings that made up the town. One of those buildings, which no longer stands, was a boarding house located on Main street and operated by two Sneva sisters. However, after two years, the sisters returned to Norway and the building became the hospital. It was in this hospital that Dad was born in 1931. Christened Adolph Duane Sneva Jr., he always preferred just Duane.
After graduating high school, he enlisted in the army, for a two year tour, during the Korean Conflict, where he worked as a Tank mechanic. He remained stateside, during his service and returned home, after discharge from the army, to help his Dad on the farm. He had dreams of travel to see more of the country, but family farming obligations kept him here. But here, he reconnected with his high school sweetheart, Lois. They were married in 1959 and settled into a life of building their own farm, while Dad also managed the Credit Union and sold Farmers Union Insurance. Mom worked right alongside him in all their endeavors. Meanwhile, they also built a family of four. Connie, Craig, Scott, and Darrin, the next generation work force! Through example, we learned the value of faith, family, a solid work ethic, moral obligation, and the importance of community. And, as their children, we are grateful for those lessons. Dad and Mom worked hard, but also knew the value of fun. As a family, we enjoyed boating, water skiing, fishing, hunting, and camping. We spent many good times at Brush Lake during summers, and each year, between haying and harvest, we ventured as far into Canada as the roads would take us. We logged many miles and crazy adventures with lots of great fishing.
In his 95 years, Dad lived through change and innovation, from farming with horses to tractors and equipment that look more like a train running through the field. intelligent and resourceful, he met challenges head on and never settled for “good enough”, always going above and beyond. He leaves a life well lived as his legacy.
Duane was preceeded in death by his wife Lois, the love of his life for all of their 63 years together, his parents, Adolph and Mildred Sneva, three grandsons, Robert, Daryn, and Eric Herberg, and son-in-law, Jon Herberg.
He is survived by his children, Connie (Herberg), Craig Sneva (Mary), Scott Sneva, and Darrin Sneva (Shelly); grandchildren – Sarah Wheeldon, Shannon Smith (Devyn), Shawn Sneva (Naomi), Brandon Sneva (Ashley) and Alex Sneva; Great Grandchildren – Claire, Shamus, Isla, Olivia, Elle, Drasyn, Destyn, and Shaylon; Great Great Granchildren – Emilia and Isabelle, his sister Alma Mae Price, niece Sharlo Halvorson (Keith), Roger Price (Shelly), cousins and many other family members scattered to the four corners of the earth.

Funeral Services for Duane are pending, and will be made available as soon as possible. He will be laid to rest at the Grenora City Cemetery next to Lois.