Janet "Jan" E. Snyder

Janet’s life began on November 27, 1932, in Portland, OR the youngest of German Russian immigrants Frank and Ludmilla (Braxmeier) Seidl. Her formative years included education at Sacred Heart Grade School in Portland; Holy Rosary Grade School in Tacoma, WA; St. Mary’s of the Valley in Beaverton and Marylhurst College in Marylhurst.

Beginning as a junior in high school, Janet was a vocalist in church choirs which led to community choirs and stage performances. She also nurtured a creative side by sewing, knitting, crafting, tole painting, oil and China painting. Church community was also important to her having served in ACCW, YLI and Altar Society. In later years she participated in the Shawl Ministry knitting for the bed ridden and blankets for newly baptized infants.

Jan met her husband Floyd (fondly known as Corkey) when she stopped at a gas station with a flat tire and he invited her out to dinner which eventually led to marriage in 1952.

She had great pride in being 1st generation born of Germans from Russia and was active for over 20 years volunteering with digitization projects for GRHS (Germans from Russia Historical Society).

Employment spanned from secretarial positions at ESCO and US National Bank of Oregon to many years as a travel consultant and eventually progressed into a management assistant at NW Regional Educational Laboratory.

After retirement Janet and Corkey spent winter months in Mesa, AZ for the next 16 years.

Jan enjoyed world travel – many times accompanied by her husband Corkey. They also both enjoyed simple Sunday drives in the country. A highlight of her travels included Abbotsford, British Columbia in 1984 to see Pope John Paul II.

Jan’s new journey takes her to a marvelous place where she will be singing, socializing, gardening, reading and certainly preparing her favorite recipes to share (Borscht, Chebureki, Spaetzle and fondly known as the “Cookie Lady” with her many Spitzbuben cookies…all washed down with Limoncello).

Her memory will remain with those here on earth: her daughter Christine (John Murtha), son John Snyder: grandchildren: James (Jessica) Murtha, Kathryn Murtha, Erin (Adam) Wagenberg, Geoffrey (Korina) Snyder & Jennifer (Troy) McGowan; 6 great-grandchildren, 4 step-great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandsons and a host of nieces and nephews.

Those who made a pathway before her were her husband Floyd, daughter Nancy Ann Snyder, her parents; siblings: Frank Seidl, Ann Immel, Ludmilla Monson, Anthony Seidl, Edward Seidl, as well as nephews Tony Monson, David Monson and Kenneth Seidl.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, October 18th at 11:00AM in St. Boniface Catholic Church, Sublimity. A Rosary will precede the service at 10:30AM. Burial will follow on Monday, October 20th at 11:15AM, Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, OR.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Boniface Catholic Church prayer garden, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or charity of your choice. Arrangements by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Home.