Diane Lee (Yilk) Snider of Kearney died July 4, 2020 at her daughter’s home due to complications of dementia. A private service will be conducted later this year.
Diane was born on June 24, 1952 in Hastings, NE to Anthony “Tony” and Esther (Sorenson) Yilk. Diane was the 4th of 8 children and she reminded you often that there were 8 children in her family. She was the first child of the “second family” and the continuation of the girl/boy alternation of children. The family lived across from the Crosier Monastery and Diane shared many stories of their adventures on the monastery grounds and friendships with the priests that resided there. Diane attended both parochial and public schools graduating from Hastings High School in 1970. While at Hastings High her fondest memories were of being part of the Tigerettes Marching Drill Team and acting as Captain her senior year.
Diane moved to Kearney in 1970 to attend Kearney State College. While there she obtained the nickname Banjo Butt which was shortened to Banjo. You could always tell what stage in her life that people had met her because of the name they called her. She loved to tell the story about two little girls that fought over what her name really was. She was untied in marriage on September 10, 1976 to Rodney Snider in Kearney. Though the relationship later ended in divorce, Rod continued to help their daughters care for Diane during her last years.
Diane was employed in various occupations but enjoyed being self-employed, owning and operating Snider Custodial and later Country Care Gardens. Diane was able to point out many locations she either landscaped or maintained throughout Kearney. She was also known for her many years of working at Glenwood Corners, and seasonally at the Cabela’s Call Center.
While her children were growing up Diane was involved in Extension Club, youth activities at Haven’s Chapel, served as a 4-H leader, was part of the Center School CCO, Center School board, Master Gardeners and to many other organizations to remember. Being on NTV news multiple times talking about horticulture was one of her favorite experiences. She received her associate’s degree from CCC in Hastings and credited her daughters for helping her study. Later in life, Diane attended ALANON at the Ambry Club. There wasn’t an animal or child that she encountered that she didn’t stop to talk to.
Diane is survived by her ex-husband, Rod Snider; daughters, Shawna Snider-Alexander and husband, Cody Alexander and Chrystal Snider and life-partner, Greg Mazankowski all of Kearney; siblings, Mary (David) Donis Perrott of WA, Tom (Mary) Yilk of Hastings, Mike (Molly) Yilk of NV, Nancy Yilk of CA, Jack (Sandy) Yilk of Wood River; brother-in-Law, Charles (Leona) Snider of York; sister-in-law, Vickie (Steve) VanPelt of Archer any many nephews and nieces.
She was proceeded in death by her parents; brother, Robert “Bob” Yilk; and sister, Patricia “Pat” Horacek.
Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services.