Funeral services for 47-year old Brian Snyder are Friday, Dec 2, 2022 at 10:00 CT in Burke, SD, at the Civic Center.
Burial will follow at 1:30 CT in the Mt Hope Cemetery in Valentine, NE.
Visitation is Thursday evening from 5:00 to 7:00, also at the Civic Center in Burke.
Brian Paul Snyder was born May 26, 1975, and died November 28, 2022.
Online condolences may be made at clausenfuneralhome.com
Brian Paul Snyder was born May 26, 1975 in Valentine, NE, to Tim and Julie (Anderson) Snyder. His life was prematurely cut short on Nov 28, 2022 in a cement truck accident.
When Brian was born, his brother John was very excited to have a baby brother. Brian learned to conquer adversity at the early age of 2 1/2 months when he nearly died of encephalitis. Against all odds, we were blest in being able to embrace his love and joy for 47 years.
His family attended the First Presbyterian Church in Valentine. where he was baptized. A very busy little boy, sometimes mischievous, he always displayed that big Happy Smile. Toddler days took him to Spencer, NE, and then to Rapid City, SD, where he attended school K-12.
Brian always had a thirst for tinkering and all things mechanical – traits he inherited from the Anderson-Snyder gene pool. On school breaks, you would frequently find him at the “Farm” southeast of Gordon, NE, with his cousins Lance, Shawn, Jason, Justin and Kristin.
They generally tried to stay out of trouble, but trouble frequently found them. Grandpa may have often been an instigator and grandma just rolled her eyes.
Growing into adulthood, he succeeded in spreading happiness everywhere he went as he considered everyone to be his friend.
Shortly after graduation, Brian joined the Army; basic training was at Ft. Sill, OK. He was later stationed in Germany, and as always, was an inspiration and a leader to his comrades.
His army career earned him many awards and citations to include: Kosovo Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, NATO Service Ribbon, as well as many other awards and citation. He was Honorably discharged as a Sargent E-5.
After leaving the Army, Brian worked with heavy equipment in Wyoming, then attended Diesel Mechanic School at Western Dakota Tech in Rapid City – later working as a mechanic for Rapid City.
Brian met and married Tammy Kahler and they made their home in Burke. Brian graciously took on Tammy’s kids as his own, especially Shawna, who is disabled. He excelled in patience with her, encouraging her to do for herself, but readily assisting her when necessary.
That was Brian, always “Helping Others”. He humbly served our Lord and Savior by uplifting others; he never had a bad word to say about anyone, EVER.
During their marriage, Brian and Tammy had fun going places and seeing things. He enjoyed chauffeuring his family to the western and southern states, as well as Illinois and beyond.
Brian worked for Rosebud Concrete in Winner, SD, for 6 years and, as always, his Big Ole’ Teddy Bear attitude won him many friends.
Brian was an active and involved member of the community. He was a member of the Burke Volunteer Fire Department, the VFW, the DAV and the Gordon American Legion.
A highlight of his life and that of his son Malachi’s came recently when Brian gained custody of Malachi. Those few short weeks were full of memory-making adventures such as visits to train and air-and-space museums, visiting parks, swimming, swinging, viewing Christmas lights, and just “cruising”.
Brian is survived by his wife Tammy, Burke, SD; mother Julie Snyder, Chadron, NE; son Malachi Snyder, Burke, SD; half-brother Toby Snyder, Martin, SD; sister-in-law Kristi Snyder of WV; step-children Steve, Shawn, Lucy and Shawna, step-grandson Andrew, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and coworkers. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Brian was preceded in death by his infant son, Brian Jr, infant nephew Gabriel, maternal grandparents Leonard R Anderson, Dorothy & Francis Frohman, paternal grandparents Mary & Ronald Snyder, uncle Max Anderson, father Timothy R Snyder, brother John T Snyder, and mother-in-law Rose Kahler.
Clausen Funeral Home of Burke, SD, is in charge of arrangements for Brian Snyder.