Obituary of Leona Snyder

Leona "Gussie" Snyder 1921-2008 Gussie passed away to a much better place on May 1, 2008, leaving her cane, walker, wheelchair & leg brace here on earth. Gussie was born in Sioux City, Iowa to Floyd & Leona Sutton. At the age of six she contracted polio & spent many months in the hospital. She graduated from Sioux City High School. She was married to Don Snyder in 1949 until his death in 1989. She and Don moved to Sumner in 1955, where she lived until moving into an assisted living home in 1999. Survived by daughter Sue Gerard, granddaughter Heather Snyder-Laver of Missoula, MT & grandson Jeff Jennings of Issaquah, niece Vincetta Smith of MI. Stepchildren Don Jr., Pensecola, FL & Colleen Nichols of Seattle, 4 grandchildren, 12 great-grands & 4 great-great grands, also survive her. She was predeceased by her husband Don, stepson Dick Snyder, sister Lola Constanza, parents Floyd & Leona Sutton. She will be greatly missed by her adoptive family, Jerry & Sylva Downing, Lisa, Mike, Tim & Families who were neighbors for 39 years and have known Gussie for 50 years. She was an active member of the Sumner United Methodist Church; helped in the church office, served on several committees, women's society and her favorite, peeling potatoes for many years for the Thanksgiving dinners served at the church. She was also a phone monitor for the Sumner Food Bank, and continued this service when she was in the assisted living home. She volunteered at the Well Baby Clinic, & worked as a voter registrar. She & Don became friends with several members of the Sumner Police Dept. & she often provided them with freshly baked banana bread. They were members of the Rebel Ham Radio Club. Gussie was an avid reader of mysteries and was a member of Friends of the Library. Even though she was somewhat limited, she loved to garden. A special thanks to Judy, Ernie & Cricket for taking such good care of her while at their assisted living facility. A Memorial Service will be held at the Sumner United Methodist Church on Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 11 am with a luncheon following. In lieu of flowers donations to the church Trustees would be appreciated. Arrangements by Curnow Funeral Home & Cremation Service. 253-863-2800.