Elizabeth (Betty) Snyder

Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Snyder, age 89 of New Hampton, IA, died Monday, November 16, 2020, at Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City, IA. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 28, 2020, at Holy Family Catholic Church in New Hampton with Rev. Brian Dellaert celebrating the Mass. Inurnment will be held in Calvary Cemetery in New Hampton. All others are invited to please join the family on Facebook Live at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 28, 2020, on the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home Facebook page. For those attending in person, it is strongly recommended to practice social distancing and wear face masks to both the funeral and visitation. Friends may greet the family from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 28, 2020, in the Holy Family Catholic Church gathering space prior to the Mass. Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Snyder was born on January 11, 1931, in Waucoma, Iowa, the daughter of Virgil and Julia (Meyer) Buschman. She received her education at St. Mary’s School in Waucoma. Betty met her husband, Jim, while she was working as a waitress in New Hampton, IA. They married on May 2, 1949, beginning a 71-year marriage. This was a love she treasured and Jim was truly her one and only; Betty followed her husband in death just three days after him. The couple raised seven children – Allen, Virgil, Wesley Jr, Denis, David, Julie, and Wendy. Betty was a strong and independent woman. She worked downtown on Main Street in New Hampton at the local JC Penney store for many years then provided daycare in her home. Most of her life, however, was centered around her family. She loved cooking large home-cooked meals for them. Her numerous recipes were left and passed on to her family to recreate and enjoy. Her mashed potatoes, donuts, fried chicken, and pies were just a few family favorites. When her children were little, Betty often drove them to her parent’s home for family card games like Euchre. She enjoyed camping and fishing with her family as well as annual trips to Gays Mills for apples and hot apple cider. Gardening was a favorite pastime of Betty’s - a passion she passed on to many of her children. She could often be found sitting outdoors near her garden full of fresh vegetables and thriving flowers with a jug of sun tea brewing at her side. She was a natural caretaker and loved tending to the needs of her husband. Even though her struggle with dementia, she always knew who he was and was eager for others to know it was her job to care for him. Betty is survived by four sons, Allen (Karen) Snyder of Des Moines, IA, Virgil Snyder of New Hampton, IA, James Wesley Jr (Nancy) Snyder of Rapid City, SD, David (Barb) Snyder of New Hampton, IA; two daughters, Julie (Barry) Merical of Des Moines, IA, and Wendy (Kevin) Finan of Anderson, SC; thirteen grandchildren, Jenny (JP) Garrey, Heather Snyder, Sherri (Brian) McDermott, Joe (Carrie) Snyder, Leslie (Ryan) Tourangeau, James Wesley III “Jay” (Laura) Snyder, Tori (Jason) Reicherts, Michelle Snyder (Enrique Rose), Erin Snyder (Jeremy Moorman), Jenna (William) Corcoran, Monique (John) Lafave, Dustin (Angie) Condon, and Joshua Finan; 31 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, four sisters, Rosemary, Dorothy, Frances, and Helen, one son, Denis Snyder, and one great-great-granddaughter, Cyana Snyder.