The two most important things to Jannis were her relationship to Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and her family. Jannis was born in Oakesdale, Washington on April 14, 1928, and passed away peacefully in Spokane on May 26, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert A and Edna (Hall) Crow, her husband M Dean Snook, and her two siblings Robert (Mac) Crow and Jerrene Holling. Jannis learned hard work and gratitude for family values as she helped cook and clean for the large farm crews connected to dry land wheat farming of the 1930s-1940s. She attended WSU (known as WSC at the time) and completed her BS in Home Economics plus her BA in Education in 1950-51. It was there that she met her life-long partner and love, Merrill Dean Snook. They were married on June 9, 1949. Jannis taught in the Garfield and Pullman schools from 1950-53 to help put Dean through Veterinary College. After Dean’s graduation, they purchased a veterinary clinic and moved to Deer Park, Washington. They remained in Deer Park, actively supporting their community as they raised their three children. Jannis enjoyed traveling, snow and water skiing, fishing, and playing bridge.
Jannis was a life-long learner and teacher. While she raised her family, she attended Whitworth College, taking a variety of classes including English, music, organ, and Japanese. She taught high school English and Choir in the Deer Park schools for 4 years and enjoyed substitute teaching as well. Serving Christ was important to her; Jannis was active in Christian Women’s Clubs, serving as a speaker and Bible Study guide. She taught Sunday School, played piano and organ, and directed the church choir. Dean and Jannis supported many foster children and enjoyed hosting foreign exchange students who attended either WSU or Whitworth. Jannis enjoyed learning how to use her computer, consistently sending personal messages and birthday greetings to friends and family around the world.
Jannis remained active after Dean’s death, living independently at Fairwood Retirement Village in Spokane for the past nineteen years surrounded by love and laughter with close friends and family. Jannis is survived by her sister-in-law, June Crow, three children Mike (Becky) Snook, Meleah (Kerry) McCulley, and Doug (Karol) Snook, 10 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at 4550 Montgomery Ave Suite 1100 N. Bethesda MD 20814, Northview Bible Church of Spokane, Horizon Hospice at 608 E Holland Ave Spokane WA 99218, or any charity of your choice. A celebration of life will be held at Northview Bible Church on Monday, August 11th, at 10:00 am.
