Kathleen “Kay” Rose Snyder, 86, of Kimball, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on October 7th, 2024, at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 21st, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Kimball, officiated by Pastor Lori Kentner. The services will also be livestreamed at trinitychurch-unitedmethodist.org. Friends and family are invited to pay their respects at the Cantrell Funeral Home on Sunday, October 20th from 1 to 6 p.m. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.cantrellfh.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church. The Cantrell Funeral Home has been entrusted with Kay’s services.
Kay Snyder was born on June 8th, 1938, in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska, to Henry and Rose (Metz) Debus. Kathleen grew up in a rural community where she attended and graduated as valedictorian from Sunflower High School in 1956. She continued her education at a community college in Scotts Bluff for a year before meeting the love of her life, Val Deane Snyder. The two were married on August 25th, 1957, and spent 65 wonderful years together, building a life full of love, family, and cherished memories. Val Deane preceded her in death in 2022.
Kay was deeply rooted in her community, participating in organizations like the Bushnell Starlighters Extension Club, Kimball PEO, and the Kimball Eagles Auxiliary. An avid golfer and card player, Kay was particularly passionate about bridge and was a star athlete during her school years, honored as the athlete of the year in women’s softball. As a dedicated farmer’s wife, she embraced gardening and cooking for her family and the farm crews, always creating a welcoming home.
Family meant everything to Kay, and she cherished time spent with her children and grandchildren. She and Val Deane shared a love of travel, especially their winter getaways to Arizona. Kay’s vibrant spirit, generosity, and commitment to those around her will be fondly remembered by her family, friends, and the Kimball community. Her life was a testament to kindness, dedication, and love. She will be dearly missed but forever remembered in the hearts of those she touched. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and active community member, Kay will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Kay is survived by her sons Robert Snyder and Darrell (Robin) Snyder, both of Kimball, NE; daughter-in-law Becky Snyder of Gering, NE; brothers Kent (Bobbi) Debus of Mitchell, NE., Bradley (Rama) Debus of Mitchell, NE., Dennis (Shirley) Debus of Torrington, WY., and Gary (JoAnn) Debus of Greeley, CO; grandchildren Katie (Lance) Newth of Cheyenne WY, Matthew (Lenae) Snyder of Gering, NE, Kelsey (Rocky) Ruzicka of Belle Fourche, SD, Dee Anna (Brendan) Westcott, of Kearney, NE, Jordan (Kassey) Snyder of Kimball, NE, Karli (Austin) Clark of Cheyenne, WY and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Norma Allen, and son Val Dwayne Snyder.