Edith (Edie) L. Snethen

Edith, lovingly known to most as Edie, Snethen, 77, of Topeka, Kansas peacefully passed away on Sunday, June 21st, 2026 surrounded by the love of her family.

She was born March 21st, 1949 in Beloit, Kansas, the daughter of Harold and Patricia (Woodward) Guhn. A farm girl rooted in her pioneer ancestors, her great-grandparents were among the original 10 wagon settlers in Pittsburg, (now Tipton) Kansas in Mitchell County in 1872. A small town that was settled where Lutherans and Catholics lived together, and famously the pastor and the priest were known to commune at the Tipton pub.

Faith, Science, Family, and Service were prominent features across Edie’s life. She learned from her family and environment, often telling stories about her dad building a water park to cool the pigs in the summer. At an early age she discovered a passion for science, asking for a chemistry set for Christmas, instead of a doll. Her favorite 4-H projects were collecting and displaying bugs (entomology) and livestock projects. She often told stories of her calf, ‘Tizzy’ the grand champion of the Mitchell County 4-H fair. This was the same cow from whom she learned meditation by staring into her soulful brown eyes while she chewed her cud. Edie excelled academically, she attended Downs High School graduating in 1967, as class valedictorian. She attended The University of Kansas to study chemistry and in 1971 received her Bachelor’s of Science in chemistry with honors. She earned her Master of Science in Environmental Sciences October 1975.

Edie’s sister Norma introduced Edie to Don Snethen. After a couple of dates, they started a 6-year courtship. It was complicated as Don attended Kansas State University and Edie attended the University of Kansas. In a time with no texting and limited phone access, they stayed connected by sending letters — including an ongoing game of chess played entirely by mail, one move per envelope. After graduating, they were married on March 11, 1972, at Zion Lutheran Church in Downs, Kansas. They settled in Topeka, Kansas where Don had taken a job.

Together, Don and Edie built 54 years of marriage, raising two children, Zachary and Gretchen. Their early years were full; refinishing old furniture, remodeling a starter home with their own hands, and gathering often with graduate school friends and colleagues. When they moved to the home where they would live for 49 years, Zach and Gretchen grew up alongside those same values: make things, fix things, and open the door to people you love.

If you spoke with Edie, you knew more about her family than any of her many accomplishments. Making time with family through weekly family meals was a tradition she carried from her own childhood. Exploration and adventures were integral to the family. Family adventures ranged widely — museum trips to Kansas City, kayaking local waterways and the clear Adriatic Sea off Croatia, hiking the Green Trail, and biking through Colorado. International travel took them to Canada, Denmark, and Croatia. Along the way, the family collected feathers, rocks, and interesting sticks, treasures Edie wove into her own artwork. In retirement, Edie and Don continued their adventures: nature, art, and exploration.

Her ancestor’s pioneering spirit was evident throughout her career. She was dedicated, passionate, and highly skilled, but also quiet about her many accomplishments. After moving to Topeka and several months of searching for a chemist position, Edie learned of the Environmental Health Sciences program at KU. In August 1972, she was the only woman admitted to her cohort, a distinction that quietly foreshadowed a career of firsts. Her mark on Topeka is long lasting. Early in her career she researched and developed Topeka’s industrial wastewater pre-treatment program required by the Clean Water Act, the first EPA approved program in the region. She was promoted to Topeka’s Director of the Water Pollution Control Division. She secured multi-million-dollar grants to upgrade Topeka’s Oakland Wastewater treatment plant and other wastewater infrastructure. In 1984, she became one of the first female Public Works Directors in the nation, serving under four mayors for more than 15 years. She was known for her care of the department's 300 employees as much as for her technical leadership. She was also instrumental in the development of the Oakland Expressway. In 2000, she became Executive Director of the Kansas Association of Local Health Departments, where she worked to strengthen collaboration across state, regional, and county health departments and contributed to a national effort to improve the effectiveness of local health departments.

Edie was also deeply committed to Christian spirituality. She completed the Soul Journer’s Spiritual Direction Training with the Benedictine Sisters at Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas. Following, she led a spiritual formation group for more than 20 years in her home, creating an intimate and connected community. Her spirituality was often expressed through service to her community. She was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church, serving as congregational president, and chaired the Soul Journer’s advisory group at Mount St. Scholastica. Her community involvement ranged widely. She served in leadership roles on the Kansas Water Pollution Control Association, the Kaw Valley Girl Scout Board, Downtown Rotary Club, and the Topeka Center for Peace and Justice, where she served as board president. Beyond formal roles, she and Don were also committed to improving their community. They sponsored and coordinated installation of an Isaiah Zagar mosaic mural in North Topeka’s NOTO Arts District and were committed to bringing Story Slams to the community.

Edie was a voracious reader focusing on animal behavior, neuroscience and spirituality. She created art from leaves and twigs and enjoyed book binding. Music ran through her life from childhood, when her mother gave piano lessons to Edie and her sister Norma. Tired of the critique, Edie bought a guitar and taught herself to play. Not a public performer, she enjoyed playing music for family, “The Entertainer” when waiting for the rest of the family to get ready to leave and the guitar for her grandsons and sometimes for the gathering squirrels outside. And spend enough time with her, she would teach you the chicken dance and encourage you to sing along to German polka music.

Survivors include her loving husband, Don, two children, Zachary (married to Erin, son Oliver) and Gretchen Hammond (married to Jay, sons Sawyer, Hudson, and Everett), sister Norma Lambert, Aunt Geraldine Yost – all of whom will miss her very much.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Patricia Guhn.

A memorial service will take place on Friday, July 24th, 2026 (10:00 AM) at Faith Lutheran Church, 1716 SW Gage Blvd, Topeka, KS, 66604. Inurnment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. Edie, Unabridged: A Story Sharing Celebration will occur at the Foundry Event Center, 400 SW 33rd St. Topeka KS 66611 on Saturday, July 25th (10:00 AM-2:00 PM).

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Faith Lutheran Church, the Soul Journer’s program at Mount St. Scholastica, the Topeka Center for Peace and Justice, or the University of Kansas Women in STEMM (WiSTEMM) Mentoring Program.

Edie left the world with more stories in it than she found, and her stories will be carried forward. 

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