James "Jim" Snyders

Larchwood, IA

     James P. Snyders age 90 of Sioux Falls, South Dakota formerly of Larchwood, Iowa passed away Monday, September 14, 2020 at Dow-Rummel Village Health Center in Sioux Falls.

     A private family Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday September 17, 2020 at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood with Fr. Sunny Dominic, celebrating. Burial will follow in the Larchwood Cemetery.

  James Snyders Livestream Link  This link will be available for 90 days.

     James “Jim” Snyders was born on November 26, 1929 in Larchwood, IA to Joseph and Lorena (Ripperda) Snyders. He attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Larchwood, where he met his high school sweetheart, Ruth Krier, and graduated in 1947. On April 11, 1950, Jim and Ruth were united in marriage at St. Mary's Catholic Church. From his early childhood, Jim began growing his baseball career and was often seen in the park playing with his brothers and friends. After high school, Jim signed with the then St. Louis Browns, but returned to Larchwood where he played from 1949 until 1951. In 1952, Jim went to Thomasville, Georgia and began training with minor league baseball. After moving through the region on various teams, Jim decided to come home to his growing family where he continued to play baseball in Lismore, Minnesota. Jim leaves behind a legacy of baseball achievements including, the 1959 and 1961 South Dakota State Championship, 1961 Regional Championship, and his playing in the 1995 senior world series tournament. A memory that will never be forgotten is hitting a home run thrown by Satchel Paige.

     Jim was a dedicated father and husband to his wife and nine children, working at John Morrells from 1953 to 1983 and starting Snyders Sanitary Service in Larchwood in 1968, before retiring in 1992. His five sons have many memories helping Jim with the family service. Both Jim and Ruth deeply enjoyed having the entire family come home to their large kitchen table, but they especially enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren. Jim became a wonderful grandpa to 24 grandchildren, who each remember his white t-shirt and jeans or his funny faces.

     After Ruth passed away from breast cancer in 1994, Jim met Lorraine Young in 1997. The two married in 2000 and moved to Sioux Falls, where they spent their lives together. Surviving years of cancer, Jim spent his retirement watching his grandchildren play ball and gathering with his children. You could never catch him without his red Larchwood baseball hat!

     Jim was a member of the Church of St. Mary in Larchwood and became a member of the St. Lamberts Church in Sioux Falls. In the past, Jim enjoyed hunting, golfing, taking fishing trips with his sons, and attending the World Series games with his family.

     Left to cherish his memory are, his wife, Lorraine Snyders of Sioux Falls, SD; his children, Mike (Glenda) Snyders of Sioux Falls, SD, Larry (Peggy) Snyders of Sioux Falls, SD, Shelley (Jeff) Gerber of Queen Creek, AZ, Randy (Denise) Snyders of Sioux Falls, SD, Robin Baranowski of Solomons, MD, Joe (Deb) Snyders of Larchwood IA, Sandra (Paul) Lundberg of Brandon, SD; son-in-law, Mike Metzger of Larchwood, IA; 24 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; sister Dorothy Kelly of Mesa, AZ; sisters-in-law, Karen Viereck, Mariel Krier, Bonnie Krier; and countless friends.

     Welcoming him into heaven is his wife Ruth Snyders; son, Mark Snyders, daughter, Cheryl Metzger; parents, Joseph and Lorena Snyders; brothers, John, Bernard, Robert, and Raymond; and sisters, Veronica Scholten and Theresa Bruggeman.

     Condolences may be sent to The James Snyders Family at 409 N Westview Drive Brandon, SD 57005.

     Blessed Be His Memory.