James Snyder

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James Snyder, 75, of Miller, passed away Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at the Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital, Miller surrounded by his family.

Funeral service were held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 30, 2016 at the St. Lawrence Community Church with Pastor Scot Tutt officiating.  Burial followed at St. Ann’s Cemetery, Miller.  Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, July 29, 2016 at Reck Funeral Home, Miller.

James was born to Charles and Marie (Horn) Snyder on August 10, 1940.  He grew up on the family farm north of St. Lawrence.  James attended St. Lawrence High School and graduated in 1958.  James married Jane Elizabeth Hare Andrews on November 18, 1972.  They settled in Miller, SD along with stepdaughters Cindy, Karen and Sandy.  Jim and Jane had one son, Troy Adam Snyder, on May 9, 1976.

He worked at Wilson’s Redi-Mix for a number of years.  He poured a number of home foundations and the old swimming pool in Miller while working at Wilson’s.  James also worked at the Cenex in Miller delivering fuel.  Jim spent over 40 years working at Wilber’s Feed and Seed in Miller.  He was a supervisor there for many years.  Jim was well-respected by the customers and the local farmers.   They knew that they could always count on him for after-hours seed sales and service.  He was a very dedicated and hard-working employee.  He stayed at the business until the doors closed and he retired in July 2008.

James enjoyed a number of hobbies and interests.  Jim participated in a bowling and pool league for many years.  He loved to go fishing, hunting and camping.  He instilled a love of the outdoors in his son and many of his grandchildren.  Jim’s family has many fond memories from the numerous fishing trips, hunting trips and camping trips throughout the years.  When at home, he could often be found relaxing on the deck, watching the birds…and gophers.  He also had a passion for gardening.  His garden was a big source of pride and he could grow juicy tomatoes, great sweet corn, loads of green beans and many other vegetables.  Jim and Jane would spend hours canning their garden produce and then share their bounty with family and friends.  He also enjoyed growing pumpkins in the garden, very large pumpkins.  Jim also had a number of fruit trees in his yard.  He liked to bake homemade apple pie from his own apples.  Jim and Jane also enjoyed hosting backyard BBQs and inviting family and friends over for supper.  Jim and Jane would often take a drive in the country looking at old farmsteads and simply enjoying the beautiful rural South Dakota scenery.

Above all other hobbies and interests was Jim’s family.  He was a devoted husband and loving father, stepfather and grandfather.  All of his other hobbies were ways for him to spend time with those he loved.  He has taken a number of family members on his fishing, hunting and camping trips.  Jim has taught many family members a thing or two about gardening and canning over the years.  He was proud to be a grandfather and great-grandfather to every one of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  His smile came easily when it came to any of those special little people.

James is survived by his stepdaughters: Cynthia (Alvin) Martinmaas of Orient and Sandra (Dwight) Greenough of Miller; son, Troy (Sarah) Snyder of Pierre; grandchildren: Lisa (Tom) Edgar and Eric (Brenda) Martinmaas of Orient, Nicole (Cliff) Dorris of Memphis TN, Caleb (Stacy) Martinmaas of Pierre, Roxanne (Jordan) Fiechtner of Brookings, Edward Switzenberg of Orient, Theresa and Tiffany Switzenberg of Sioux Falls, Jane Harms of Sioux Falls, Hillary (Heath) Smith of Miller, Seth Greenough of Miller, Dylan and Andrew Snyder of Pierre; great-grandchildren: William, Raymond, Joleene and Isaiah Edgar of Orient, Shannon and Erin Dorris of Memphis TN, Dayna, Ethan and Wyatt Martinmaas of Pierre, Joey Fiechtner of Brookings, and Everlee Smith of Miller; and his son-in-law, Ricky Switzenberg of Sioux Falls.

James was preceded in death by his grandparents, Abraham and Elisa Snyder and Tillman and Rose Horn; parents, Charles and Marie Horn Snyder; sisters: Mavis (Babe) Snyder Ganske and Linda Snyder; his wife, Jane Hare Snyder; stepdaughter, Karen Switzenberg; and stepgranddaughter, Jolene Switzenberg.