Ida May (Althoff) Snyder

(Feb. 13, 1927 - June 6, 2009)

Former Powell resident Ida May (Althoff) Snyder died June 6 at St. John’s Lutheran Home in Billings. She was 82.

She was born at home on Feb. 13, 1927 in Pompey’s Pillar, Mont. to Peter J. and Emma H. (Schmitt) Althoff. She lived in Pompey’s Pillar until she was 5 years old when her family moved to Custer, Mont., where they lived until she was 10. The family then moved to Powell in 1938 and later to Badger Basin in 1941. They lived in the Sand Coulee area, and Ida attended high school in Belfry, Mont.

She married Terry E. Smith on Jan. 1, 1947. Terry and Ida farmed for one year at Sand Coulee. Terry then worked on well-drilling rigs in the area. Ida and Terry had three children: Larry D. Smith, Mary Lou Isbell and Kathleen E. Hart. Ida and Terry divorced in 1951.

On July 16, 1952, Ida married Rudolph Snyder. They had four children: Janet E. Hanson, Eugene P., Mark E. (Edna) and Roger L. Snyder. Ida and Rudy celebrated their 50th anniversary in July, 2002 and were long-time members of the St. John Lutheran Church in Belfry. The family lived in various locations throughout the years including Sand Coulee, Burlington, Cody, and Clark. Ida and Rudy later retired to Edgar, Mont. and moved to Billings in 2003.

Ida enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening. She also enjoyed visiting with friends and neighbors. Ida’s greatest love was her family. 

Ida was preceded in death by her husband Rudolph, her parents and her brother, Harold. 

She is survived by her brothers, Dan and Neil Althoff; sisters, Esther Hillyer and Ellen Hergenrider; seven children and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be on Thursday, June 11, at 11 a.m. at Mount Olive Lutheran Church at 2336 St. John’s Ave. in Billings, with burial of ashes following in Rockvale Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Dahl Funeral Chapel. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com.