Shirley Snyder

After a 20-year illness, Shirley Snyder has gone to Heaven where her lungs don’t have to work so hard any longer. She passed away May 10, 2021.

No services are planned at this time.

Shirley was diagnosed with Wegener’s granulomatosis, an automimmune disease, in 2001. It was a life-changing diagnosis but one that showed the power of meeting life’s curves with grace and dignity. She credits the relationship she began with Jesus when she was four-years-old for helping her navigate this debilitating disease. 

Shirley Roseanne Patterson was born July 25, 1943, in Centerville, Iowa, to Lloyd ‘Pat’ and Lucile Patterson, the eldest of three girls. The family moved often during her childhood, as her father coached high school sports across Iowa. 

Shirley spent her senior year of high school as an exchange student to the Netherlands. It was true exchange as Rein (the son of the family she lived with) lived with her family. The families have remained close. Shirley brought her daughter Cindy to visit the Howeler family, which provided support later when Cindy spent a summer working on a tulip bulb farm in the Netherlands. Rein’s son Michael lived with Shirley and Tony for a time while Micheal was in high school.

Upon returning to U.S., Shirley attended the Swedish School of Nursing in Minneapolis. She graduated in 1965 and became an RN. She met Tony Snyder on a blind date in July 1965 set up by her roommate. They were married on March 12, 1966. Their children Cindy and Brian were born while they lived in Minneapolis. 

But the rural life called to them both and in 1970 they bought a farm near Staples, where they raised kids, pigs, corn and beans. Shirley continued her nursing career in between serving as Pioneer Girl leader and Sunday School teacher. She served as a parish nurse to seven churches which involved providing health counseling to members. She enjoyed helping people and the camaraderie of people working together to reach the same goals. 

In addition to nursing and farming, Shirley was also a talented artist known for bringing nature to life. Green Dog Studio was named after Tony’s new hunting pup chewed through a tube of green oil paint and painted himself inside and out.

After selling the farm in 2002, she and Tony lived on Dead Lake before moving permanently to Kingman, AZ, in 2014.

Shirley loved to create beautiful things and shared that love with her grandchildren and friends. She was happiest with a colored pencil or paintbrush in her hand and a blank page before her. Gardening was her solace and the ability to grow gorgeous roses was one of the things she enjoyed most about Kingman. Her unwavering faith in Jesus was a testimony to all who knew her. Psalm 118:24 was one of the Bible verses she leaned on. 

She is survived by her husband, Tony; one daughter Cindy (Dave Bjorneberg) and one son, Brian (Judy); three grandchildren, Ava Snyder, Mari Bjorneberg and Matthew Bjorneberg; two sisters Kerry (Jerry Swanson) and Barb (Gary LeClaire); one brother-in-law, Stan (Linda) Snyder; one niece, Christel (Ryan) Bryant and one nephew Brent (Sheena) LeClaire. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; one nephew, Phillip Lang and her beloved pug, Lil’ Dude. 

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