Muriel E. Snyder

Muriel Snyder was a devoted wife, mother, and grandma who found her greatest moments of happiness in the company of her loving family. She was an active member of her church, and she tried each day to follow the example of her Lord. She regarded her family as her greatest accomplishment, and her grandchildren were her pride and joy. The 1920's were a decade of good fortune and celebration. The stock market was soaring higher than ever before, and industry was rapidly expanding to meet the new demands of a peacetime nation. In Muskegon, Michigan, Ernest Nelson and his wife Ellen Swanson discovered another, more personal reason to celebrate. They were expecting a child, and on June 30, 1923 they were blessed with the healthy birth of their daughter Muriel at Hackley Hospital. Muriel's parents, both of Scandinavian ancestry, were born and raised in Muskegon, Michigan While her father provided for the family through his job as a tool and die worker, her mother stayed at home to tend to the chores and raise the children. Muriel grew up in Muskegon Heights with the company of her brothers Kenneth and Milton. When she was seven years old, Kenneth passed away at the age of four; Milton died in 1974. From grade school through high school, Muriel enjoyed the company of eight very close friends. They were reunited in 2005 at their 54th Class Reunion. Muriel graduated in 1941, just around the time that the United States entered the Second World War. On February 20, 1948 Muriel was married to Glen A. Snyder at Samuel Lutheran Church where she was a lifelong member. She was active in her church, especially with the women's organizations. Following the wedding, Muriel worked a variety of jobs, including Screw Works, Bennett Pump, and Muskegon Construction. She stopped working in 1955 when her first child John was born. Three years later, in 1958, she welcomed her daughter Ellen into the family. Muriel returned to the working world in 1967 when Ellen was in the fourth grade. She worked at Muskegon Community College where she attained the position of Executive Secretary to the Dean, Dr. Dennis E. Wilson. She retired in 1985. In her free time Muriel loved to read, go out for lunch, and bake desserts. She was famous for her pies, cakes, and cream puffs. Her son-in-law Todd never tasted a better rice pudding than hers. Muriel enjoyed traveling, and over the years she visited several locations, including Hawaii, Sweden, and Denmark. Muriel kept her family in the center of her heart. In her later years she was pleased to see the family grow with the blessing of two grandchildren. Megan Ann and Sara Beth were her pride and joy, and she loved every minute that she spent with them. Among the many people whose hearts she touched, Muriel will be greatly missed and frequently remembered. Muriel died in the early morning of Friday, May 5, 2006. She is survived by 1 son, John W. Snyder of Muskegon, MI; 1 daughter, Ellen (Todd) Achterhof of Muskegon, MI; 2 grandchildren, Megan Ann & Sara Beth Achterhof; 1 niece, Jennifer (Doug) Case of Traverse City, MI. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Glen in 2000 & 2 brothers, Kenneth & Milton Nelson. The Service will be held on Monday, May 8, 2006, 11:00 AM at Samuel Lutheran Church with Rev. Christopher Anderson officiating. Interment at Lakeside Cemetery. Visit with family members on Sunday, 2-4 & 6-8 PM at Clock Funeral Home. Please visit Muriel's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a favorite memory, sign the online guestbook, or post a memorial contribution to Samuel Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.