Agnes M. (Snyder) Richstein

Miss Agnes Mae Snyder was born on October 28,1932 to Jesse James and Margaret H. (Zillig) Snyder at the Snyder Homestead near Chain Lake. Agnes and Jesse were born in the same sod house. Grandma Effie assisted with Agnes’ delivery. The Snyder grandparents, Richard and Effie as well as Jess, Margaret and little Agnes moved into a frame house built by Richard. Agnes grew up as the only child in a family of adults. Grandma Effie diligently watched over little Agnes. lt’s been told by neighbors that whomever corrected little Agnes ultimately answered to Effie. Agnes attended the Chain Lake School which was located across the road from her home. When she started first grade Agnes and four Smith children were the pupils. Agnes’ mother Margaret taught at the school when Agnes was in the 7th and 8th grades. Upon completion of the 8th grade at Chain Lake School, Agnes attended four years of high school in Ainsworth graduating in 1951. The fall of 1951 was the beginning of Agnes’teaching career as she accepted the job of practice teaching at Willow Lake School. Here she was under the watchful eye of the school teacher Etta Mae Giles. Upon completion of two years of practice teaching she earned her teaching certificate. Agnes’ first teaching position was the Ender Lake School. After a few years of being a school teacher, Agnes questioned her teaching desires deciding to try a different job. She then secured a job at Kitchum’s grocery store, where she stocked shelves and clerked. Her uncle Ed Zillig’s home became her home while she worked in Ainsworth. Teaching again called to Agnes. She taught four years in Cherry County, then completed her sixteen-year teaching career in Brown County schools. To keep her teaching certificate valid, Agnes joined other teachers traveling to Chadron State College to attend summer school classes. With each summer school session, it provided Agnes the opportunity of traveling to Alaska.
The Chain Lake community never lacked for entertainment. The icehouse at the Snyder's kept blocks of lake ice packed in straw frozen all summer. Agnes reported that no one seemed to mind a little straw in their lemonade on a hot summer day. Cranking homemade ice cream utilizing lake ice on the 4th of July was a real treat! Dancing music was provided by the Snyder’s. Jesse played the guitar and sang or played the fiddle with Agnes accompanying him on her guitar. They were known to play for barn dances or in a neighbor's living room. After playing a night of music it was not unusual for the Snyder's to return home at dawn just in time to milk the cows.
The Helping Hand Club was established by the community ladies. This club’s purpose was to gather for visiting and to assist the hostess with mundane chores like butchering chickens. Ladies attending brought a covered dish to be shared for a noon meal. The club ladies provided many funeral dinners and prepared food for local auctions. Over time the club evolved into an afternoon of crafts. Agnes was a dedicated member. Through the later years granddaughters enjoyed going with her.
On June 14, 1970 Agnes married Milton Richstein. Milt moved Agnes to his home located in the Raven community. This marriage was a ‘package deal’ for everyone involved. Milt had two married daughters with children of their own who immediately became part of Agnes’family. Agnes’parents became grandparents to Milt’s family. With that being said, its understandable that Agnes assumed various duties...many of which involved Milt. Together they raised a garden, worked in the hayfield, planted flowers, mowed the lawn and picked buckets of strawberries. They trapped gophers, hunted cottontail rabbits and took time to head to the lake country to fish. Agnes used her .410 gun with precision and handled her fishing pole like a pro.
To the grandkids Agnes was Grammy. They frequented her house. Often, she had chores for them a other times she helped them cook or assisted them with projects. The one rule she enforced was they had to clean up after themselves. The school teacher prevailed! Crocheting was Agnes’hobby. You could always find a ball of crochet thread and hooks beside her chair. She crocheted doilies, tablecloths, wall decor, snowflakes, Christmas socks and ornaments...the list goes on. Agnes could crochet while watching The World Series and never lose count...of the game or of her crocheting. Following Milt’s death in 2008 Agnes continued living at the ranch. Milt had been an avid quilter with Agnes partnering beside him. Together they created and personalized quilts for graduating seniors, friends and family members pets. Ag continued quilt making, gardening, visiting with her friends and occasionally venturing to the casino with them. If you ever witnessed a plastic bag of coins in her purse you just experienced her gambling money. She was one to always be prepared. That held true with her supply of crafts as well. She wanted to be ready for any little visitors that might pop in! Agnes personally identified being a part of the ranch. She enjoyed knowing the day to day ranch activities. In the spring of 2021, Agnes purchased a house in Ainsworth. This move was not easy for her as she had lived 50 years in the center of ranch activities. Her adjustment to town life was softened by enjoyment she found in keeping track of her neighborhood happenings. Agnes entered the Brown County Hospital in January of 2022. She worked hard to regain her strength. As she improved, she accepted a move to Cottonwood Villa in Ainsworth with hopes of eventually returning to her town home. With family at her side, Agnes’ earthly life ended in the early morning hours of April 7, 2022.
Agnes was preceded in death by her husband Milt; her parents Jesse and Margaret, infant baby sister Melda Lee and grandparents. She left to mourn her passing, daughters, Kem Richstein of Ainsworth and Konny (Duane) Saner of Long Pine along with seven grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren and other family members.



Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at the Evangelical Free Church at Ainsworth with Pastor Mick Thornton officiating. Music was provided by Joel Barrow with the congregation singing “In The Garden” “Old Rugged Cross” and “Jesus Loves Me.” Casketbearers were: Tate Schipporeit, Cory Saner, Mike Gibson, Tim Iverson, Kent Taylor and Gary Taylor. Honorary Casketbearers were: Joleen Iverson, Tsipi Gibson, Clisty Taylor, Sasha Taylor, Dana Saner, Sarah Schipporeit and Mitzi Saner. Burial followed in the Ainsworth Cemetery. Memorials were suggested to the family for a medical equipment purchase for Brown County Hospital in memory of Agnes. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com . Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth was entrusted with the service arrangements.