Cynthia Marie Ernst

Cynthia Snyder Ernst, 45, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2016 after a courageous and hard-fought battle with cancer. Her beloved husband Tim was by her side as she walked to the Lord.

Funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 15th at St. Joseph Church, Key West with Rev. Rodney Allers officiating and Rev. Scott Boone concelebrating.  Burial will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 14th, 2016 at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road.

Cynthia was born on February 27, 1971 in Dubuque, Iowa the daughter of Jerome and Marie (Puls) Snyder.

A devoted wife, mother, and friend, Cynthia enjoyed spending time with the people she loved. From cruises on the river to neighborhood spins on her golf cart, she always had a smile on her face and a friend by her side. Cynthia was a brilliant engineer, a proud Iowa State Cyclone, and an avid "P!nk" fan. She loved a good girls' night out and a successful shopping trip.

She graduated from Wahlert High School, pursued an engineering degree at Iowa State University, and earned her MBA from the University of Dubuque. She started her career at Abbott Laboratories in Chicago, then moved back to the tri-state area to work at Honeywell, Eagle Window & Door, and most recently, John Deere. Everyone who knew Cynthia knew of her passion for the work that she did at John Deere. Other than her family, it was her pride and joy. Cynthia married Tim in 2005 and they made many happy memories together. She enjoyed attending their kids' sporting events and was an active member of St. Joseph Key West Parish.

Cynthia is survived by her husband, Tim; four children, Jared, Bailey, Jacob, and Cailyn; five siblings, Michael (Barbara) Snyder, of Overland Park, KS, Catherine (Christopher) Murphy, of Lake Forest, IL, Gregory (Kimberly) Snyder, of Milton, WI, Mark (Jennifer) Snyder, of Asbury, IA, and Dale (Renee) Snyder, of Peosta, IA. Also surviving are her in-laws, Herbert and Joanne Ernst; three brothers-in-law, Kevin (Connie) Ernst, Fran (Lisa Murphy) Ernst, and Mark (Julie) Ernst; and a sister-in-law, Julie (Joe) Bradley, all of Dubuque; along with many nieces, nephews, and dear girlfriends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jerome and Marie Snyder, and her maternal and paternal grandparents.

The family wishes to thank the dedicated healthcare professionals at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, the radiology team at the Wendt Regional Cancer Center, and the Key West emergency responders for their compassion and care. In lieu of flowers, a Cynthia Ernst memorial fund has been established.

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