Chester Snyder

Chester J. ChetSnyder, 91, of Baxter, died Friday, March 13, 2009 at the Edgewood Vista Assisted Living in Brainerd, MN. Services for Chet will be 11 AM, Tuesday, March 17 at First Lutheran Church in Brainerd, MN. Friends are welcome to gather one hour prior to services at the church. Interment at Evergreen Cemetery in Brainerd, MN. Memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church of Brainerd.
Chet was born March 28, 1917 in Virginia, MN, the son of August and Josephine (Schley) Snyder. After graduating from Crosby-Ironton High School, Chet went on to attend Virginia Junior College where he continued to be an active student and student-athlete. He furthered his studies at Hamline University. After graduation, he taught physical education, chemistry and American history while coaching football, basketball and baseball in Kenyon, MN. Chet also served his country in the US Navy where he was a blimp pilot. Following his honorable discharge, Chet moved to the Brainerd Lakes Area where he started Brainerd Sports Supply with Roy Gorman. On July 3, 1942, Chet was united in marriage to Beatrice (Bettie) Stromberg. The couple was married for 66 years. Chet was an active member of the community. He served on various boards and clubs. He was mayor of East Gull Lake, President of the Chamber of Commerce and a charter member of the Toastmasters Club. He was instrumental in organizing the Health Club, a group of 12 couples who were committed to connecting at least once a month to participate in social and healthy activities to keep their minds and bodies sharp. The club did a wide variety of events, some of which were, horse-back riding, playing soccer, Easter egg hunts, and disco dancing. No member dared to miss an event as the friendships that were created were cherished. The club was strong for 45 years. When Chet retired in 1977, he and Bettie spent six months in Florida and the other half of year at their home on Gull Lake where they lived for 42 years. Chet was inducted into the Hamline University Hall of Fame for football in 1985. Chet was a member of Rotary, First Lutheran Church and the Elks Club.

He will be missed by his wife, Bettie, of Brainerd; his daughter, Deborah Snyder, of Edina, MN; two grandchildren, Lindsay (Chris Harshbarger) Sander and Stephen Sander; and his sister, Jewell Popek, of St. Paul, MN. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sandra Jo; his parents; his sister, Frances Nord; and three brothers, Ted Snyder, Ed Snyder, and Leonard Snyder.