Ralph Snider

Ralph Harold Snider passed away August 25,2018 at 94 years old. Ralph was born March 2,1924 in Duluth, Minnesota. He graduated from Morgan Park High School in 1943.  Prior to graduation, he started working at U. S. Steel Duluth Works. In August, 1943, Ralph was drafted and joined the United States Navy. He was trained at the University of Chicago and became a signalman. He served in the Seventh Fleet in the South Pacific during World War II. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Duluth and employment at U. S. Steel working in the wire drawing, nail mill, welded fabric and cleaning and coating. On May 22, 1954, Ralph married Mary Ursula Renier. They were devoted to each other for 54 loving years until her death in December, 2007. In 1974, Ralph transferred to U. S. Steel Joliet Works in Joliet, Illinois until his retirement in 1981. In Joliet, he worked in welded fabric, galvanizing, the nail mill and cleaning and coating, retiring in the position of relief superintendent. He returned to his home town and family in Duluth where he lived the rest of his life. Ralph enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, gardening and hiking in the woods. Ralph did NOT like squirrels. Ralph always put his family responsibilities first. As a son, brother, husband, father, uncle and grandfather, he was respected and counted on to always be there. He always was. His family gained a lot by seeing the example he set. We have lost the comfort of Ralph's presence but he remains the heart of this family. When all heaven protested his absence, his Creator called him home. He was a thoughtful friend and neighbor- and will be greatly missed. Ralph is survived by his daughter, Kathi M. Snider, of Duluth and son, Martin G. (Cindy) Snider, of Shorewood, Illinois; granddaughter, Dr. Kelly (Saurabh) Agarwal, of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, and grandson, Stephen Snider, of Plainfield, Illinois; great-granddaughter, Isabella Agarwal and great-grandsons Pradeep and Liam Agarwal, of East Greenwich, Rhode Island; sister Joan (William E.) LeNeau, Duluth; sisters-in-law Pat Renier, Duluth, and Jeri (Willard) Ogren, Iron River, Wisconsin; 16 nephews and 5 nieces; and special friends Joseph and Allie Sharland who brought him much joy and wonder in his later years. Special thanks to Jeannie Truman, Sharon Latture and  Carol Pearson for the loving care they provided. He was preceded in death by his parents, Florence (Manke) and Ralph Leonard Snider, and his older  sisters, Dorothy V. Smith and Dolores (Hartikka) Krebs.  Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 29, 2018, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with 6:30 Rosary Recitation in the Dougherty Funeral Home. The visitation will continue Thursday, August 30, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Benedict's Catholic Church, 1419 St. Benedict Street. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Military Honors accorded by the Duluth Honor Guard. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 East Second Street, Duluth, 727-3555.