Carolyn R. Snyder

Carolyn Ruth Snyder, 91, of Grand Forks, ND, passed peacefully into the Lord’s hands on Dec. 2, 2023.  

Carolyn was born in Loveland, CO, on Sept. 23, 1932 to Oscar and Carola Geisler.  Her childhood was largely in Pasadena, CA, but in high school, she lived in Colorado.  She graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in nutrition.  During her internship, she was engaged to Dr. Robert Snyder, and after marrying him in California, she moved to Groton, SD, to join him in building his veterinary practice. They lived there from 1957-2015 where they raised their family, and Groton remained the favorite gathering place for many holidays and celebrations as their kids’ families grew. In 2015, Carolyn and Bob moved to Grand Forks to be closer to Paul and Shawn and their young family.

Carolyn and Bob had 5 children:  Barbara, Kristine, Linda, R. Michael, and Paul.  She had 17 grandchildren, five of whom are married. She had 5 great grandchildren and a sixth on the way, and she never tired of holding a newborn baby!  Her life reflected her strong values of family, friends and faith.

She was active in church, educational groups, bridge clubs, and tirelessly offered help and support not only to her family but to many in the community. She loved a good cup of coffee at almost any time, and she loved to travel and shop. She was a loving wife, a good friend, and an excellent accountant and seamstress. She painted in her later years, and as she appreciated beauty, she also created beauty in the way she lived her life.

Her family and friends remember her as loving, accepting, constant, generous, kind, gentle, smart, gracious, supportive, affirming, servant-hearted, humble, unselfish, and patient, grounded, adventurous, easy-to-love, and always present for family.

She is survived by her children Barbara Luna, Kristine (John) Albrecht, Linda (Ben) Sparkman, Mike (Valerie) Snyder, and Paul (Shawn) Snyder as well as 17 grandchildren: Brittany Luna, Ethan (Cami) Albrecht, Liu Snyder, Elisabeth Sparkman, Daniel (Hilary) Sparkman, Catherine Sparkman, and Jonathan Sparkman, Jacob (Hannah)Snyder, Nathan (Hayley)Snyder, David (Amanda) Snyder, John (Kelby)Snyder, Titus Snyder, Claire Snyder, Leah Snyder, Simeon Snyder, Joshua Snyder and Caleb Snyder. 

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert, and her five siblings Armin, Manfred, Rosie, Emma, and Floss. 

Visitation will begin at 3 pm on Dec. 14 at the Faith Evangelical Free Church in Grand Forks, ND. The celebration of her life will begin at 4 pm.  Carolyn’s private interment will take place on Dec. 15 at the Groton Cemetery in Groton, SD. For friends and family in Groton, a reception will be held at the Groton United Methodist Church at 1 p.m.