Florence Ester Bicek Snide

Florence Ester Bicek Snide, age 89, of Mount Vernon, Washington, passed away Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 2010, with family at her side.

Graveside Services were held on Saturday, June 11, 2011 in Barnett National Cemetery of rural Badger, Minnesota with Pastor David Fish, officiating.

Florence was born October 1, 1921, in Ross, North Dakota, she was the daughter of Charles & Christine (Hansen) Bicek.

After graduating from Sheyenne River Academy in 1940, she went to Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska for nurses' training. There she met Rollin Fred Snide, a young soldier stationed during WWII at the Fairmont Army Air Base. They married on June 7, 1943.

Over the years they moved often as he completed medical school and surgical training, practicing in small town across the country, including 20 years in Cheboygan, Michigan, and 14 years in Monticello, Kentucky.

She was a faithful member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and they served in missions around the world, including Vietnam, Botswana, and Malawi. Florence became an expert at moving on short notice while raising their four children.

Florence had an analytical mind, always learning. She enjoyed Bible study, music, and nutrition, becoming quite knowledgeable on the subject. She was always concerned for the less fortunate, constantly helping others. Wherever she lived, she had a loved cat.

Florence is survived by her four children: Alita Barnes of Anacortes, Washington, Judy Ayars of Thousand Oaks, California, Frank Snide of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Theodore Snide of Mount Vernon, Washington; grandchildren: Philipa Barnes, Daniel Barnes, Eric Ayars, Yolande Brizendine, Rochelle Ayars, Amy Snide, David Snide, Rebecca Staggs; and great-grandchildren: Jessalyn, Stefan, Karis, Kyle, and Kiana.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Rollin F. Snide, her parents Charles and Christine Bicek, her brother Milton Bicek, and her sister Jean Juhl.

Personal condolences to the family may be sent to Alita Barnes, 14521 Gibralter Road, Anacortes, WA 98221.

Arrangements are with Evan's Funeral Home in Anacortes, WA and Gieseke Funeral Chapel of Greenbush, MN. Interment was in the Barnett National Cemetery of rural Badger, MN, beside her parents graves.