Merline N. Snyder

Merline Snyder, 84, of Topeka, passed away on Thursday, August 12, 2010 at Brewster Place Health Care Center. She was born on January 23, 1926 in Portis, Kansas, the daughter of The Rev. and Mrs. C. Merl Nutter.

After having lived in Sylvan Grove, Agenda, Kanorado, and Arnold, Kansas, she graduated from Dickinson County High School in Chapman. Merline graduated from Kansas State University, and was the first full time librarian in the School of Engineering at KSU. She married Harold W. Snyder in Peabody on June 6, 1948, and they moved to Topeka where she worked for the Prudential Investment Company and later for the Kansas Hospital Association. She retired in 1955 from KHA to care for her family and returned to work there part time later, retiring again in 1977 as Legislative Assistant.

Merline served for many years on the Kansas State University Alumni Athletic Council. The Snyders were one of the five couples who founded the Kaw Valley Catbackers, a KSU booster club. She served on the Catbacker board for 18 years. She was recognized as "Lady Cat of the Year" in 1987 by the KSU Department of Athletics. Merline was an avid tennis player and served as the president of the Topeka Tennis Association. She received Master Gardener training and is a member emeritus. She became an advocate of gardening and joined the Topeka Beautification Association, where she served as president, as well as co-chairing the annual Topeka Garden Tour for many years. She was a long-time member of Trinity Presbyterian Church, and was a member of Chapter AJ, PEO.

Survivors include her husband, Harold W. Snyder; a son, Richard and his wife, Gay of Edmond, Oklahoma, granddaughters; Laura Bode (Adam) of Tulsa and Katie Snyder of Edmond; a daughter, Jan Arnold and her husband, Dave of Bixby, Oklahoma; granddaughter Lindsey Arnold of Springfield, Missouri and grandson Nate Arnold of Dallas, Texas. Merline is also survived by her twin brother, Murlin and his wife, Barbara of Los Alamos, New Mexico. She was preceded in death by her older brother, Glenn.

Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, August 23, 2010 at Trinity Presbyterian Church. Private inurnment will take place in Mount Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Trinity Presbyterian Church, 4746 S.W. 21st St., Topeka, Kansas 66604.