Richard "Dick" Snyders

Richard Snyders, age 72 of Larchwood, IA died Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, June 4th, 2011 at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood, IA, with Fr. Jeff Schleisman and Deacon Jeff Gallagher Concelebrating. Burial will follow at the Larchwood City Cemetery in Larchwood, IA. Visitation will be Friday, June 3rd from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood. Also there will be a 7:00 PM Vigil service at the church Friday evening. Richard John Snyders was born October 20, 1938 in rural Larchwood to Francis and Elsie (LaFrenz) Snyders. He was raised in the Larchwood area and educated at St. Marys Catholic School graduating from high school in 1957. On May 3, 1958 he was united in marriage to Marlys Scholten, and to this union three children were born; Kim, Kevin and Kent. Dick and Marlys have lived in Larchwood for the past 51 years. Dick had a lifelong love for playing ball. In high school he excelled as a baseball pitcher and continued his love for the game by playing fast pitch softball in Sioux Falls for many years. After his playing days were over, he coached the Larchwood Hawks Amateur baseball team. Dick worked for John Morrell packing house in Sioux Falls for 46 years. He was a past member of the Larchwood Fire Department. He loved golf and fishing, especially his yearly fishing trip with his brothers. He enjoyed attending his grandsons baseball and football games and spending time with his family and friends. This past Wednesday Dick passed away at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls after a courageous battle with brain cancer. He will be greatly missed. Dick is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marlys Snyders of Larchwood; daughter, Kim (Tom) Blauwet; sons, Kevin (Miki) Snyders and Kent Snyders, all of Larchwood, IA; grandchildren, Stephanie (Brad) Ideker of Lincoln, NE; Ethan (Trista) Blauwet of Inwood, IA; Dusty (Lisa) Snyders of Chandler, AZ; Nick Snyders, Benjamin Blauwet, Caleb Blauwet, Zack Snyders, and Trevor Snyders, all of Larchwood; 5 great-grandchildren, Aaron and Emily Ideker, Bryce, Thomas and Luke Blauwet; siblings, Jerry (LaVonne) Snyders; Alan (Linda) Snyders; Nancy (Tom) Kerkvliet-Reinke, all of Larchwood, Diane (David) Hansen of Dell Rapids, SD, and sister-in-law, Elaine Snyders, of Luverne, MN, and many other extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Elsie Snyders; brothers, Roger and Dennis; and great-grandson, Alec Ideker.