Lance Aaron Snyder, age 28, died unexpectedly on December 20, 2023, in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
A memorial service was Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Elmwood Auditorium, Elmwood, Wisconsin. A luncheon followed the service.
Visitation was Saturday, January 6, 2024, from 1-5 p.m. at Keehr Funeral Home, Spring Valley and at the Auditorium for one hour prior to the service on Sunday.
Private family burial in St. Bridget’s Catholic Cemetery, Wilson, Wisconsin with full military honors.
Lance was born June 13, 1995, to Timothy and Nichole (Belisle) Snyder in New Richmond, Wisconsin. He grew up in Spring Valley, Wisconsin with his brothers Logan and Cole and his sister Jordyn. He attended Spring Valley Schools, graduating high school in 2013. Upon graduating high school, he attended Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training as a forward observer at Fort Sill, OK.
Directly after, he attended and graduated from the United States Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, GA earning his coveted airborne wings and becoming a Paratrooper. Following Airborne School, Lance set off for his first assignment in the 9th Infantry Regiment in Camp Casey, South Korea.
On November 28, 2015, Lance married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Brooke Jacobson. In 2017 Lance deployed to Afghanistan with 3rd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment in the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC.
Upon returning from deployment, Lance was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Richardson, AK. In Alaska, Lance attended military mountaineering school and arctic warfare training. Following his assignment in Alaska, Lance was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment in the Second Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC.
During his career, Lance celebrated many high achievements including promotion to rank of Sergeant First Class, graduation from the United States Army Jumpmaster School, earning the Combat Action Badge in Afghanistan, the Gold German Armed Forces Badge for Weapons Proficiency (Schutzenschnur), and Order of Saint Barbara Award (Patron Saint of the Field Artillery).
Lance’s career might have had a high priority, but it was his wife he loved most in the world, since the age of 14, which was half of his life. They grew from children into adulthood where they navigated together in all ways from one side of the continent to the other. Lance was known for saying that Brooke pulled him out of his comfort zone, and he did the same for her. Exploring their surroundings was something they enjoyed whether that be fishing for salmon on the Russian River in Cooper’s Landing, AK to hiking mountains in both Alaska and North Carolina and any adventure in between. Lance loved their dogs Piper and Max, cheese curds from the Cady Cheese Factory and especially Italian food. We will always remember his unforgettable smile.
Lance is survived by his wife Brooke Snyder; his mother Nichole Snyder; siblings Logan, Jordyn and Cole Snyder (girlfriend Theresa Starks); niece Reese Snyder; grandparents Arlen and Mary Belisle; in-laws Chris and Cheri Jacobson; sisters-in-law Jade and Madison Jacobson; grandmothers Lorraine DeLong and Barbara Jacobson; several aunts, uncles and cousins. He is preceded in death by his father Timothy Snyder; grandparents Gerald and Marlys Snyder; grandfathers Doug DeLong and Duane Jacobson.
Keehr Funeral Home, Spring Valley handled arrangements.
