Cleo D. Snyder

Cleo passed away on the evening of November 11th, 2022. She was 95 years old. Preceded in death by her husband Lawrence Snyder. Survived by daughter Julie and husband Tony Contreras, niece, Laurie Johnson, grandkids; Anthony (Rachel), Sara (Brian), Julie (Todd), Alexandria, (Rashaw), and eight great grandchildren. A visitation for Cleo will be held Thursday, November 17, 2022 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home, 5701 Center St, Omaha, Nebraska 68106. A funeral service will occur Friday, November 18, 2022 at 10:00 AM at West Hills Church, 3015 S 82nd Ave,, Omaha, Nebraska 68124.

Cleo Mae Davis was born on November 26, 1926 in Carroll, NE. She entered the world during a raging blizzard and her father had to drive his Model A through the storm to fetch a midwife from Norfolk, NE. Her parents were David “Bud” and Emma Davis. She had an older brother, David Everett, and a sister Helen who died at age 12. She had a best friend Betty Morris who lived next door. Being the same age 12, they became inseparable friends during childhood and the friendship continued throughout their lives. Her pride and joy was her only niece, Laurie Johnson, of Shenandoah IA.

Her father ran a grocery and dry goods business in Carroll; Bellows and Davis. In 1929 Mr. Bellows sold his part of the business to Mr. Davis, ironically three weeks before the great stock market crash. Like so many others; Mr. Davis lost the business, and so supported the family by running a cream and egg operation during the Depression years. Cleo would speak of putting on a pair of long johns when fall came and they would be worn all winter for warmth, slowly being cut off as the weather warmed in the spring. Often family evenings were spent around the woodstove as Mr. Davis read the Bible to the family. Their faith was a great sustaining presence then and the church has been an important fortress throughout Cleo’s life.

From 1942 until 1945 Emma Davis ran the Davis Café, a popular local restaurant. Cleo would help out in the restaurant, both during high school and while she went to college.

Cleo graduated from Carroll Public School in 1944; one of a very close knit class of 16 students. For their high school “sneaky day”, using rationed gas, the students ventured to Sioux City and discovered such wonders as street cars, and the Orpheum Theater. When asked by the street car driver to “feed the kitty” the group were perplexed, as this was a new experience for them.

From 1944-1946 Cleo commuted back and forth to Wayne, Ne and attended Wayne State Teacher’s College, graduating in 1946. She then spent three years living in Scribner teaching 2nd and 3rd graders. She and other single teachers lived on the 3rd floor of a house near the school and would sit together in the heated bathroom at night to grade their papers. There was a hot plate in the basement, which is what they used to cook their evening meals. Teachers had to be single and were not allowed on the streets after 6:00 PM. Once a week on Wednesday evening, they would take the train to Fremont to have dinner at Petrow’s and see the sights there. Taking the return train later in the evening they quietly stole their way back to the rooming house.

From 1949 to 1951 she lived in Columbus, Ne and taught 4th grade. During summer break in 1950, she and a girlfriend came to Omaha working at Bishops cafeteria, where she met her future husband, Larry. He asked her girlfriend to have Cleo ask him to a Lady’s Choice picnic and thus began their romance. On March 25, 1951 Cleo and Larry were married at the Carroll Methodist Church. She finished her year of teaching at Columbus, and they moved to Omaha where she accepted a teaching job at Washington Elementary. Her 37 year career in Omaha took her also to Robbins School and Clifton Hills Elementary schools. During those years she went on to complete her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.

On July 25, 1956 their beloved daughter Julie was born. In August of 1958 they purchased and moved into their home at 5820 William St., where they stayed for the remainder of their married life and Cleo continued to make her home.

Retiring on June 1, 1988 after 37 years of teaching elementary students in Omaha; Cleo was one of the first recipients of the Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award. During retirement years Cleo and Larry enjoyed time with their daughter’s family and four grandchildren, Anthony, Sara, Julie and Alex. They enjoyed travels to visit with relatives and friends, and one of their favorite destinations was Las Vegas.

Larry passed away on June 8, 2001 after a long period of poor health. Fortunately, they were able to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary at one of their favorite restaurants; Caniglias in March of that year.

Though grieving deeply, Cleo was able to carry on her life of volunteer service, being an active member of Royal Neighbors of America, Kappa Lola and Alpha Delta Kappa teacher sororities, and the Omaha Area Retired School Employees Association. She has been a devoted member of West Hills Presbyterian Church for over 35 years, participation in Caregivers, Bible studies and Prayer Chain. The close relationship of the many people in these groups helped sustain her through the years.

Another source of great joy has been the new generation of great grandchildren who Cleo helped nurture. Anthony has two sons, Noah and Eric. Sara has a daughter Reina and a son, Micah. Julie had a daughter, Alana and son, Eli. Alex has two sons, Giovonni and Jahsi. Family gatherings were a time of great celebration as some of the grandchildren lived in other parts of the country.

Cleo lived a full life and showed great kindness, generosity and compassion for those she encountered. She blessed and enriched many young lives, as displayed by the huge gathering for her 80th birthday. She made the world a better place, and the hole left by her passing will not be filled. She was an “earth angel” and is now having a wonderful reunion in heaven with so many that she loved here. She went on to be 95 years old.

Memorial contributions should be directed to West Hills Presbyterian Church or Omaha Area Retired School Employees Association.