Delores "D" Ella (Blum) Snyder, 83 of Choteau, was peacefully and serenely called home for final rest in Heaven on July 30, 2022 at her home; where she was surrounded by her loving family.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Gorder-Jensen Funeral home and a Vigil service will take place Tuesday, August 16, 2022 at 6:00 pm at Gorder Jensen Funeral Home. Memorial Mass will take place Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at 1:00 pm at ST. Joseph's Catholic Church in Choteau with a reception following at the church rectory.
"D" was born August 26, 1938 in Klamath Falls, Oregon to William and Ella (Schaible) Blum. At three years old the family moved to Sunnyside, Washington in the Yakima Valley. When she was ten, she went to work helping in the fields and orchards. She spent most of her free time there to earn spending money. Due to a mix-up in her credits, she did not graduate her senior year.
In the summer of 1955 at the Yakima County Fair, she met a young serviceman from Choteau, Montana. She and Walter were married on September 8, 1956 and began their family.
"D" worked for shorty and Ellen Gorder at Teton Cleaners and when the Gorders' retired she got her boilers license and bought the cleaners. In 1976 she went to school for cosmetology to share her passion for beauty. A career she enjoyed for 47 years, giving her last haircut just weeks ago. She volunteered at Gorder Funeral Home for many years with her unique touch.
"D" was the mother-matriarch of her family. A very strong woman who sacrificed and devoted her life to her children and grandchildren. She cannot be replaced. She is loved so very much and is incredibly missed; not just to her family by many others and their kids. She always had an open door and free meal policy, day or night. For many years friends came and went, some stayed on. There was one main rule; follow mom's rules! For some this was a challenge.
"D" enjoyed flowers, while she was still able, she had many gardens and a beautiful and enormous lilac hedge. One of "D's" passions was to be a race car driver. They wouldn't let her drive, so she settled for holding and handing out the bouquet of roses to the winner.
"D" is survived by her husband Walter S. Snyder, sons Robert (Brenda) Snyder and Joseph Snyder, daughters Terrie (Robert) Reiding and Shawnee Snyder (Joe Alfson) and well as 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and her foster daughter Myrna Smith.
"D" was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, a nephew and many aunts and uncles as well as her foster daughter Leatha Smith.
In lieu of flowers donation in D's name can be made to the Snyder family in care of Terrie Reiding; PO Box 111 Choteau, Montana 59422.
Condolences may be left on-line at www.gorderjensenfuneralhome.com