James Allen Snyder

James "Jim" Snyder, age 88, of Marshall, Minnesota, died unexpectedly on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at Murray County Medical Center in Slayton, Minnesota. A traditional visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall, Minnesota. A private burial will take place at a later date in the Marshall Cemetery.

 

James Allen Snyder was born on September 12, 1935, on the family farm in Lyon County, Minnesota. He was the son of Gordon and Alice (Marks) Snyder. Jim was baptized as an infant and later confirmed at the Evangelical United Brethren Church. In his youth, Jim attended country school and then Milroy High School, where he graduated with the class of 1953. He was very active in sports, playing quarterback and defensive back for the football team and point guard on the basketball team in Milroy. Jim continued his education in Mankato for one year before joining the United States Army. Upon his honorable discharge, Jim returned home where he met Shirley Connell at the Blue Moon in Marshall.

 

Jim was united in marriage to Shirley on June 10, 1961, at the Albright United Methodist Church in Marshall. The couple made their home on his family farm, where they have now lived for the last 62 years of marriage. They were proud to keep the Century Farm going as a fourth-generation caretaker. Even after his (semi)retirement in 2004, Jim kept assisting Todd with numerous chores until 2021.

 

Jim was a long-time member of Albright United Methodist Church and then Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Marshall and he served on the Marshall School Board for 15 years. His other enjoyments in life included fishing, watching many sporting events - particularly the Vikings, keeping up on the news, reading anything written by Tom Clancy or related to historical topics. Jim enjoyed being outside whether working, watching out for birds - particularly Finches and Baltimore Orioles, and walks at Camden State Park with Shirley which often included a nice cookout. Jim loved to sneak his dessert first and could often be spotted ducking into the cornfield to pick an ear of corn to check how this year's crop was coming along.

 

James Snyder died on February 1, 2024, in Slayton, Minnesota. He had reached the age of 88 years, 4 months, and 20 days. Blessed be his memory. 

 

He was survived by his loving wife, Shirley Snyder of Marshall; 3 children, Pam (and Randy) Ramaker of Bentonville, AR, Rebecca (and Brad) Woitalewicz of Ham Lake, Todd (and Tesha) Snyder of Porter; 5 grandchildren, Ryne, Keaton, Barret, Sidney, Melissa; 3 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

 

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Alice Snyder, and 3 brothers.