Donald Snyder Jr., 78
Fairmont Funeral Services for Donald Snyder Jr., age 78, of Fairmont, were held Saturday, June 15, 2013, at Bethel Evangelical Free Church in Fairmont. Burial followed in the Riverview Cemetery near Elmore, with full military honors.
Donald “Donny” passed away suddenly Tuesday morning, June 4, 2013, at Sutter General Hospital in Sacramento, Calif. The Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Fairmont assisted the family with the arrangements.
Donald Ross Snyder Jr. was born on Dec. 24, 1934, near Elmore, the son of Donald Ross and Clara Junice (Anderson) Snyder. He attended school in Elmore and graduated from Elmore High School. Following his graduation, Donny attended the University of Minnesota to play football before leaving to join the United States Army where he served from 1955 to 1957. Upon earning his honorable discharge, he returned to Minnesota where he married Nancy Neuhalfen and began farming. Nancy and Don had three children, Bridgit, Carrie and Douglas. Nancy passed away on Dec. 6, 1972. In 1978 Don moved from his farm to his home on Hall Lake in Fairmont, where he resided until his death. Donny married Marvel Whitaker on Jan. 16, 1982. The couple was blessed to share over 31 years of marriage together.
Don worked for 50 years farming in Martin and Faribault counties, retiring in 2007. Following his retirement, Don and Marvel spent each winter in Naples, Fla., with friends and family. Don loved all people and treasured his time spent with them. He was an easy going, loving and caring man. Don will be greatly missed by those who loved him and considered him a friend.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Marvel Snyder, of Fairmont; daughters, Bridgit Thieriot and Carrie Snyder, of Calif.; son, Douglas (Rachel) Snyder, of Calif.; stepsons, Kevin (Anita) Whitaker, of Plymouth, and Keith (Teri) Whitaker, of Hutchinson, Kansas; grandchildren, Frankie Thieriot (Mike Stutes), Max (Lexi) Thieriot, Aidan Thieriot, all of Calif., Chloe Irons (James Guilford), of Ore., Clara Snyder, of Calif., Kirsten and Kara Whitaker, of Kansas, and Justin Whitaker, of Minn.; one brother, Tucker (Mariann) Snyder; two sisters, Patricia (Robert) Ludlow, of Naples, and Susan Hickman, of Calif.; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Clara Snyder; and his first wife, Nancy Snyder.