Armond Graydon Snelson

life story

Husband, Dad, Papa, Great Papa and Friend

A limb has fallen from our family tree that says grieve not for me, remember the best times, the laughter and the song and most of all the good life I lived while I was strong.

Armond Graydon Snelson

Armond Graydon Snelson, 79, of Vadnais Heights, MN, died June 4, 2022, in St. Paul after a tough 8-year battle with Lewy Body Dementia.

He was born on March 4, 1943, to Graydon and Ruth Snelson in rural Amboy, Minnesota. Armond was always happy to point out that his birthdate was the same whether read backwards or forward, 3-4-43, even so when asked at a recent doctor’s appointment.

Living his life every day with a joke to tell or a quippy comeback, the caption in his yearbook read, “If bright remarks were grain of sand, he would be a dessert". Armond graduated a Husker from Amboy High School with 8 graduates in his class. Even though Lewy Body Dementia had taken so much away from him he still was joking with the hospice nurses a week before he passed.

Armond entered the Air Force on April 19, 1964, where he was the lead mechanic on B-52 Bombers. He participated in Operation Chrome-Dome, where B-52 Bombers were on continuous alert during the height of the Cold War. Armond’s love of planes was displayed almost daily with the aircraft t-shirts he often wore and his proud display of model airplanes. On April 1, 1968, Sargent Armond Snelson was honorably discharged after completing 4 years of service.

After the Air Force, he began working as an Auto Body Repair specialist, retiring 37 years later from Countryside Volkswagen in Maplewood.

On June 20, 1970, Armond married Mary (Lenertz) Snelson, and they had two children, Dawn and Beth.

Armond was the rock on which his family’s foundation was built. He had a helpful hand and would take the pain off someone else if he could. Carrying the nicknames of, papa, great-papa and pops, Armond loved camping, fishing, hunting, boating, but most of all spending time with family and friends, especially his Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.

Armond is survived by his wife Mary Snelson, Children Dawn (Bill) Napier and Beth (Vinnie) Berger, Grandchildren Jennifer (Derek) Napier, Mark Napier, Mollie (Tyler) Napier, Belinda Napier and Alexander Berger, great-grandchildren Harvey, Hunter, Mia, Knoxxlie and Knellie, siblings JoAnn (Dick) Haggbloom and Bill (Marlys) Snelson. Sisters and brothers-in-laws, Nieces, Nephews, extended family and many friends. He was a joy to be around and will be missed by so many, beyond what words can describe.

He was preceded in death by his parents Graydon and Ruth Snelson, and his sister Marilyn Reed.

Armond’s Memorial Service will be on June 11, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 3676 Centerville Rd., Vadnais Heights, MN 55127 with Pastor Jon Yurk officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at 10 a.m. with a luncheon following the memorial service. Please join us in celebrating his life.

Armond will be laid to rest on July 28, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Honorary Pallbearers, grandchildren Jennifer, Mark, Mollie, Belinda and Alexander.

Memorials or donations may be made to Mary Snelson.