Edward Arthur Snyder

Edward Arthur Snyder was born on September 25, 1942, in St. Paul, Minnesota. His parents were the late Edward Dallas and Mary Elizabeth (Hoag) Snyder. Edward graduated from Mechanic Arts High School in St. Paul as part of the class of 1960. Following High School, he graduated from St. Cloud State University with a degree in teaching and would later receive his Master’s Degree in counselling. Those degrees would form the foundation of his professional teaching career at Henning High School.

On December 28, 1969, Edward was united in marriage with Lucille Lystrom at the Vining Lutheran Church. Ed and Lucy made their home and grew their family in Henning where he taught: History, Social Studies, Geography, at Henning High School. Ed wore many hats at the school in addition to his teaching duties including Counselor, Athletic Director, and Driver’s Education instructor.

Many nights he stood guard at various sporting events as the Athletic Director beyond all the coordination for schedule planning all sports. In his role as Driver’s Ed instructor, he spent summers with unsuspecting students navigating the streets of Henning with a wave or lighthearted joke played on either a student or a friend on the street. Following Lucille’s passing on October 4, 1998, Ed retired the following spring of 1999 after enjoying thirty-four years at HHS.

Ed formed a bond with the city of Henning as he educated so many students that passed through the HHS halls over his decades. A lot of those students became his life-long friends. Easily to strike up a conversation, Ed’s friendships ranged from his fellow teachers, firefighters, ambulance teams, Lions and Elks Clubs, along with business meetings, countless coffee shop talks and memorable gatherings at Oakwood. Ed had a commanding voice while teaching, so if you missed an hour of class you could catch up the next hour three rooms away but at the same time, he made education fun. His love of History came through with every lecture and that love continued throughout his life participating in Civil War and other historical discussions throughout retirement. Ed was a voracious reader of all subject matter; ranging from sports, adventure, mystery, politics, biographies, and all things interesting; he never stopped learning.

Early on, Ed developed a passion for collecting and trading baseball cards. That passion developed into an active sporting card business that he weaved in between his teaching vocation. Many weekends were spent at card show events in towns throughout the state ranging Bemidji to Moorhead to Duluth, always looking for that elusive card or making a sale.

Ed lived a socially active life and there’s nothing he enjoyed more than a jovial exchange to a heated debate. The subject matter was not so critical as the interaction with his longtime established friends or an acquaintance he had made just that day. If you were fortunate to engage with Ed in any debate conversation, you had better have your wits about you, your facts straight, and some thick skin. His convictions were evident, and he was not shy about expression but never at the sake of friendship.

As Edward stepped through retirement, his activities continually centered around his ever-expanding legacy of grandkids and seeing their developments and successes. Ed moved from his home in Henning to a cabin on West Leaf Lake in 2001. Having a full cabin at The Fourth of July and seeing his grandkids splash in the lake or melt s’mores at the campfire always evoked a wide grin or belly-shaking laugh. All his grandkids and great grandkids gave Ed a newfound goal to get “up North” and see them grow. His pride of his grandchildren’s development was apparent and a source of a strong internal glow.

Edward Arthur Snyder passed away on May 6, 2022, at United Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota at 79 years of age. He will be dearly missed but more importantly, he’ll dearly remembered by his family and friends in a continued web of tales, recollections, and stories of fun. Preceding Edward in death are his parents Edward and Mary Snyder and his wife Lucille Snyder.

Edward is survived by his children: Keri (Steven) Lillestol of Thief River, Kristin (Mike) Smith of West Fargo, Karen (Einar) Frobom of Chaska, and Edward (Nicole) Snyder Jr. of West Fargo; 14 grandchildren: Matthew, Gabe, Marisa, Leo, Eden, Eli, Noah, Ellie, Olivia, Ava, Emma, Edward, Isabelle, and Nolan; 5 great grandchildren: Landon, Lucas, Cora, Eva, and Avery; along with many other relatives and a host of friends.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorials in Ed’s honor may be made to the Henning Fire Department. Any gifts received by the family will be donated to the Henning Fire Department in Ed’s honor and remembrance of his service for the continuation of safety in the Henning community.

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