Leon Snyder, age 83 of Wall Lake, IA, passed away at his home on Saturday, June 3, 2023. Leon John Snyder was born on May 6, 1940, to parents Norbert and Ethel (Determan) Snyder on a farm northeast of Breda, IA. He and his family lived there for two years. They then moved to the Maple River farm, lived there for two years, then moved to a farm five miles north of Westside, and lived there from 1944-1947.
Leon went to Breda School for his First Grade education and lived with his Grandma Snyder (Josephine Coon). He then moved to a farm one mile south of Herring, IA. He attended Levey #8 Country School until the Eighth Grade. Leon graduated from Wall Lake High School with the Class of 1958. He excelled in football and track, including a state championship in the mile relay with a state record in 1958.
After graduation Leon worked for Ken Kiburz in a bluegrass seed plant in Afton, IA. On July 11, 1959, Leon married his high school sweetheart, Janice Helen Gosch. They were married at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wall Lake, IA. In 1960, they moved to Durant, IA, and Leon worked in an aluminum foundry. In 1962 they moved back to the Breda area to farm. From there, Leon worked in the Langly Cheese Factory in Odebolt, IA, where he and his family resided. In 1963, they moved to the Gosch family farm where they lived until 1987. On this farm, The Snyder Dairy Farm was originated. He farmed with his father-in-law, Bob Gosch, and his brother, Art. This farming included fat cattle, hogs, corn, soybeans, oats, hay, and chickens. In 1987, Leon and Janice moved to their current residence three miles west of Wall Lake.
Leon was an inventor of many farm related gadgets. He liked to tinker in the shop by welding and fixing all things. He always thought he could improve any item he worked on. He had great mechanical skills and a very strong work ethic. Leon also enjoyed hunting for deer, coyote, fox, and elk. Fishing was another activity he also enjoyed. When winter came around every year, he and Janice loaded up the camper and headed to Oklahoma and Texas.
Leon enjoyed spending time with his grandkids and great-grandkids. He liked to take them for rides on any piece of farming equipment, and teach them the ways of the farm. He will be dearly missed by his family and all those who knew and loved him.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of sixty-three years, Janice Snyder of Wall Lake, IA; sons Marlon (Sonia) Snyder of Wall Lake, IA, Gaylen (Shelly) Snyder of Wall Lake, IA, and Danny (Janet) Snyder of Odebolt, IA; grandchildren: Eric (Amanda) Snyder, Jeff (Chelsey) Snyder, Alex Snyder, Jacob (Steph) Snyder, Kade Snyder, Jeni (Matt) Struck, Megan (Bryce) Dooley, and Nick Snyder; eleven great-grandchildren; sisters Karen Wettengel, Jolene (Leon) Brotherson, Linda (Alvin) Greve, and Carman (Joe) Cogan; many extended family members and friends.
Leon was preceded in death by his parents, Norbert and Ethel Snyder; parents-in-law Bob and Frances Gosch; brothers Allan, Gary, and Dennis Snyder; nephews Steve, Rick, and Allan Jr. Snyder, and Craig Greve; and brother-in-law Paul Wettengel.
