Harry Snethen, 88 of Springfield

His funeral service was 10:30 am Thursday, June 12, 2008 at the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield, followed by a 3:30 pm burial at the Winner Cemetery, Winner. John McNeill officiated. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Harry D. Snethen, eldest of four children, was born February 22, 1920 on the family homestead near Hamill, SD, to Harry G. and Edith L (Dicks) Snethen. He died Sunday, June 8, 2008 at the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall after a long illness. Harry attained the age of 88 years, three months and 18 days.

Harry was educated at home until age eight and then attended the North and South Fairview Country Schools and later Winner High School. He was always a great believer in education and proud that all his children completed college.

From an early age, Harry took on many responsibilities with the family and the farm. At 14, he joined one of the last cattle drives in the area, taking his family's cattle as part of a larger drive to Reliance, SD, to sell to the government at $3 a head.

In January 1936, Harry's father passed away. He then left high school, and at age 15, took over the family farm. They survived the depression and held onto the family land.

In February 1951, Harry lost his brother Philip. Philip, a WW II veteran, had been recalled to active duty in the Army Reserve and was killed in combat in Korea. On June 8,1953, Harry's mother passed away.

Harry was married to Della Covey at the Westminster Orthodox Presbyterian Church of Hamill on August 7, 1958. They were the first couple united in the new church, which was fitting, since much of their courtship was spent helping to build it. Their nearly 50 year union was blessed with four children: David Harry, who died in infancy (1960), Phyllis Delia (1961), Lois Marie (1962) and Daniel Harry (1967).

Harry and Della continued to farm and raise cattle on the Snethen farm until 1970, at which time they left the farm and moved to Springfield. This move allowed Della to complete her teaching degree at Southern State College in Springfield. Harry worked for Platt Halsey as a farm hand and then started his second career in 1971 as a custodian at the college in Springfield. Harry took great pride in his work and the school. The work-study students he supervised were his "students" and he took great pride in their later accomplishments He was always pleased to visit with all the friends he made at USD/S, especially after it closed.

In 1984, USD/S was closed (an event that would always get a rise out of Harry) and Harry "retired". Retirement soon became a third career when he started a lawn mowing service. At one point, Harry was caring for more than a dozen lawns around Springfield. In addition, he volunteered countless hours helping with the senior meals program, delivering meals to homebound, washing dishes and giving rides to and from dinner for as long as he could. Harry also called on the homebound and hospitalized with friends Dale Ferwerda and Duane Hubregtse.

Much of Harry's life was spent living out his faith in Christ in service. He was always there for his family, community and church. Harry served as a deacon and trustee in Hamill and as a deacon and elder in Springfield. He was active politically right up to the end, willing to discuss politics, past and present. Harry was always eager to help, even after he was unable to do so physically.

Children were always a source of joy for Harry, even when they were "messy". His children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren would get a smile, a lifesaver, and undivided attention from Harry. His nephew Bill Crackel was especially close. Bill spent summers with "Uncle Harry" on the farm in the '50s and continued to keep in touch with him, especially in Harry's later years.

On March 17, 2003, Harry suffered a stroke. He eventually moved to the Tyndall Good Samaritan Center in December of 2007. The staff there made his last months good ones and Harry definitely made a good impression there, too.

Thankful for having shared his life are his wife Della, Springfield; children: Phyllis (Peter) Bernard, Jefferson; Lois, Vermillion; and Dan (Becky), Crooks; seven grandchildren: Andrew, Sam and Wendy Bernard, Heidi and David Hassing, and Owen and Duncan Snethen; a sister Mary Betty Crackel, Miller; and many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents; sister Louisa Crackel; brother Philip; and infant son David.