Charlotte Patricia “Pat” Snyder (nee Rasmussen) passed into eternal life in the company of her three loving children, in a room overlooking several Munster, IN community institutions dear to her, on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at the age of 94. She is preceded in her journey by her husband, Russell Allen Snyder, who passed in 2022, also at 94, and is survived by their son David Allen Snyder; daughters Susan Patricia MiHalo (Mark) and Christine Lee Cangiano (William); grandchildren Matthew Mihalo, Natalie Cangiano and Samuel Cangiano; nieces Amy Sciarrino and Beth DaSilva and nephew Gary Shell; extended in-law families of both daughters, and many friends at Hartsfield Village Independent Living Community, where she and Russ enjoyed their post-retirement freedom from home ownership.

Pat was born to Charlotte Rasmussen (nee Humpf) and Ewald “Raz” Rasmussen in Chicago on January 11, 1931, and attended several South Side public elementary schools before advancing to Fenger High School, where she graduated in 1948 at age 17. Shortly thereafter, the Rasmussen family was bereaved of her younger brother, Jerry, when he was just 12. Pat went on to attend Blackburn College, Carlinville, IL, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. She returned to Chicago and was employed as a chemist by the University of Chicago, and then Argonne National Laboratories in its early years.

Russ and Pat met in 1955 at Trinity United Methodist Church in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago, where they were married on June 16, 1956. In 1958, they moved to Munster where both quickly became invested in community activities. Both were deeply involved in the formative years and beyond of Ridge United Methodist Church, and in the GOP, where Pat served for many years as a precinct committee chair and as an election worker. She was also a steadfast supporter of the private Munster Pool Corporation, and served on its Board of Directors, continuing swimming and socializing at its replacement, the Munster Community Pool, until just a few years ago. She was also active throughout her life in the PEO Sisterhood, served as a substitute teacher at Munster High School, and as a Cub Scout Den Mother. Over 62 years of occupancy, Pat welcomed many to their Munster home, including their neighbors, friends of their children, bridge club members who became her and Russ’s most stalwart friends, several foreign exchange students, and three dogs she loved.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. at Ridge United Methodist Church, 8607 Columbia Ave, Munster, IN. Visitation will be held on Saturday at the church from 10:00 A.M. until the 11:00 A.M. service. Interment to follow at the church columbarium with a luncheon at noon.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ridge United Methodist Church, the Down Syndrome Association of Northwest Indiana or The Nature Conservancy of Indiana.

In her immortal words: Drive Carefully!

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