Maris Robert Snyder, Staples, 90

January 13, 1924 - August 13, 2014

Maris Robert Snyder, longtime resident of Staples, and dearly loved by family, passed away on August 13, 2014 at the St. Cloud VA Center. Maris was born on January 13, 1924 in Todd County near Clarissa, Minnesota to Harry Leslie and Mamie Valentine (Robbins) Snyder. He graduated from Staples High in 1942, served as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne in World War II and returned to Becker Township, Cass County for the duration of his life. He was united in marriage to Joyce Marie Volner on June 2, 1948. Maris was a pioneer in irrigating his sandy farmland, constructed many buildings on the farm and planted over 100,000 trees during his lifetime as his environmental commitment to the land. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, family, his cabin(s), reading, gardening, watching sports and playing 500. He served on the Becker township board, District #18 School Board, a township fire warden 45+ years, ABS Board, and volunteered as a AARP tax preparer in his 80th decade. He suffered from significant hearing loss in 1981 with multiple attempts at correcting but never complained about this ongoing challenge. He remained independent with Joyce until July 31, 2014.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce; sons Dwight Steven (Joan) and Randy Douglas (Joan); grandchildren, Heather, Allison, Dustin, Elizabeth and Charles Snyder; and five great grandchildren, Lane, Landon, Logan, Braeden and Brea. His family considers themselves fortunate to have Maris’ honest and direct guiding hand in their lives.

He was preceded in death by son, Greg Alan (d. October 1, 1998; his parents; brothers, Leslie and Keith (Mike); and sister, Betty.
Services will be held on Friday, August 22 at 11:00 AM at Faith Lutheran Church in Staples, Minnesota. Family will receive visitors from 9:30 to 11:00. We thank you for your love and support. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Staples Public Library and Faith Lutheran Church.