FLORENCE SNIDER obituary

HOGELAND Florence Irene “Candy Grandma” Snider, 88, died of cancer Friday, July 21, 2006, at Sweet Memorial Nursing Home in Chinook.

A celebration of her life service will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Harlem High School Gymnasium with Pastor Cheryl Hoops officiating. Luncheon will be served at the Harlem American Lutheran Church immediately following interment at the Harlem Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday at 7 p. m. in the Edwards Funeral Home Chapel in Chinook. Florence was born May 4, 1918, in Nodaway, Iowa, to John and Bessie Lacox. Florence and her family arrived by train in 1929 in Hogeland, where they settled and began farming. She attended both the East End School and the Hogeland School, where she graduated from high school in 1936. Florence married Elmer Chapman Snider on March 30, 1937, in Chinook. At that time, they purchased 40 acres and launched their farming career. They had been married 60 years at the time of Elmer's death on Oct. 11, 1997. Florence chose to remain on the family farm until 1998 and then moved to the Little Rockies Retirement Center in Harlem. She lived there for two years before moving to the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home in Chinook.

During her life, Florence was very active, holding offices in the Hogeland American Lutheran Church women's group and serving as Sunday school superintendent and teacher. She held offices with the Hogeland PTA and was a 4-H leader for 15 years. She was a member of and held several offices in the Hogeland Happy Housewives Extension Club for 54 years. Florence served as a Blaine County election judge for many years. Florence strongly believed in the privilege of voting and proudly voted in the last presidential election and the 2006 primary election.

Florence was preceded in death by her parents, John and Bessie Lacox; brothers, Dean Lacox and Aaron Lacox; and sister, Floy Lacox Cannon. Survivors include daughter, Beverly Darlene (Ken) Butzine of Houston, Pa.; sons, Ralph (Nancy) Snider of Turner, Roger (Penny) Snider of Hogeland and Edward (Vicki) Snider of Harlem; 16 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; sisters, Hazel Allen of Great Falls and Beverly Billings of Great Falls; sister-in-law, Ruth Lacox of Billings; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials can be sent to Gift of Life Housing in Great Falls, Hogeland American Lutheran Church, or the charity of one's choic