Obituary published on Legacy.com by Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapels - Dawn Valley Chapel on Feb. 6, 2025.
Joy Anna (Toedter) Snyder, 88, of
Bloomington, MN went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 2, 2025. Joy was born December 17, 1936, on the Toedter family homestead near Marion, ND. After graduating from Staples High School, Joy moved to Minneapolis and worked at administrative jobs for various companies and attended St. Paul Bible College for one year. In 1958 Joy met Wayne Snyder at Riverside Evangelical Free Church and they were married on May 28,1960.
From the time she was married until she became incapacitated by dementia, her focus was on serving Jesus Christ and loving and caring for her family. From 1961-1967 she had four children and then from 1971-1976, she and Wayne fostered over thirty-five infants through Lutheran Social Services. When the grandkids started coming, she provided part-time day care for all those that lived close by, and often cared for them overnight so that her kids could enjoy get-aways with their spouses. Her home a.k.a. The Snyder Hilton was always open to relatives that were in a medical crisis, between homes, or just passing through MSP on their way to another destination.
Joy volunteered in many behind-the-scenes ways with her church and community. She taught Sunday School and was a leader in other church youth organizations; sent mass mailings before email existed; cared for children so young mothers could attend Bible study; cleaned toys for the nursery; sewed clothes and blankets for Bundles of Love Charity; kept the books for Christian organizations; and likely did other acts of service of which no one was aware.
Joy and Wayne were partners in everything but especially with genealogy research. Their publications, Walter Family History and The Snyders of Kampeska, were the result of countless hours spent pouring over county and church records. They traveled extensively to forty-seven states and many foreign countries on four continents. Joy also loved sewing, reading, and scrapbooking but would choose helping her husband, kids, or grandkids above anything else.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 64 years Wayne and children: Steve (Jeni) Snyder, Tim (Joy) Snyder, Carole (Bill) Katona, and Gretchen (Brian) Olson. Joy is also survived by fourteen grandchildren, eight grandchild spouses and nine great-grandchildren, as well as siblings: David Tader, and Phillip, Wendel, Mae and Dan Toedter.
Joy was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Lora Toedter, brothers Robert Toedter, John and James Tader, and sisters Lois, Margaret (Hewitt), and Barbara Toedter and granddaughter Abby Snyder.
Even though she suffered cognitive decline from Alzheimer's, her graceful, gentle spirit was always evident. We will miss her back rubs, her laugh and her smile and look forward to seeing her fully restored in heaven.
See below for March 5th visitation and March 6th memorial service information.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the following organizations or a Christian ministry of your choice. Monetary Donations ' BundlesOfLoveCharity Give in Someone's Honor ' PreBorn!