Curtis Junior Snyder

Curtis J. Snyder, 96, was born on February 8, 1928, in Stahl, Missouri, to Reuben and Golda Snyder. He moved with his parents to Mason City, Iowa, in the summer of 1936. He met his bride-to-be, Harriet Lucille Herington, when he came to Kalispell, Montana, in 1944, as he was on his way to Alaska. After raising their family, they later made it to Alaska in 1980 for a vacation.
Curt enlisted in the Army in January 1946 and was sent to Camp Crowder, Missouri. Harriet joined him there, and they were married March 23, 1946, in Columbus, Kansas. Curt was then transferred to Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey, and later to Camp Polk, Louisiana. Then he shipped to Japan. He received an honorable discharge June 1, 1947, at which time he returned to Kalispell. Curt and Harriet had three children: Laird, Van, and Kathy.
Curt served forty-one years in law enforcement in Flathead County. He joined the Kalispell Police Department on April 1, 1950. He retired as Lieutenant of Detectives April 1, 1970. He was elected Sheriff of Flathead County and took office in January of 1971. While at the Sheriff’s office, he went for training to the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and also started the Airport Security at the Glacier Park International Airport. He retired from there on April 1, 1991.
Through the years Curt enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping with his family and friends. There were camping trips to Kintla Lake in Glacier Park, Spotted Bear Campground, Point Pleasant in the Swan, and campouts with First Baptist Church of Marion, Montana. He enjoyed Koocanusa, Tally Lake, their cabin on Bitterroot Lake, and many other recreation spots in this area. After retirement Curt and Harriet spent their winters in Quartzsite, Arizona, and summers in Kalispell, Montana.
Curt was preceded in death by his parents, Rubin and Golda Snyder; two brothers, Vandal and Tom Snyder; two sisters, Hilda Faye Stidman and Arlene Humphries; daughter, Kathy Hall and husband Andy Hall; son, Van Snyder; and two nephews, Larry and Marvin Stidman.
He is survived by his wife of 77 years, Harriet; one son, Laird (Linda); two granddaughters, Rebecca Strong (David), and Jacque Reiss (Travis); six great-grandchildren, Michael Dunning (Nikki), Mariah Mitchell (William), Russel Dunning, and Calvin, Everett, and Levi Strong; one great-great-granddaughter, Scarlett Dunning; two nieces, Carolyn Tomkins (Dan), and Marilou Price (Ronald); one nephew, Rick Stidman (Linda); and several great nieces and nephews.
Curt was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Kalispell. He ascended into Glory on Saturday, February 24, 2024.
A Visitation will be held on Saturday March 2, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home.
With the Memorial Service being held at Bethel Baptist Church in Kalispell, Montana at 11:00 AM on March 4, 2024.
In place of flowers, donations may be made to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Posse or Flathead County Search and Rescue.

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