Reincarnation through rebuilding

'Scarecrow Sue' Snyder of Somers gets renewed hope and a new home, thanks to the love and friendship of neighbors and friends

On Wednesday, the bell tolled at "Scarecrow" Sue Snyder's home in Somers, striking a tone of rebuilding and healing.

Snyder's home was destroyed by an accidental fire on Thanksgiving Day. She was badly burned, but her spirit and the devotion of the Somers community endured.

Months into rebuilding her home - once the Methodist Church - the old C.S. Bell and Co. church bell was lifted into a new belfry Wednesday.

Snyder climbed into the tower and rang the bell. Below, her friends clapped and hollered, neighbor dogs howled, and she gave them a thumbs-up from the window.

A crew and donated crane from Montana CAD did the heavy lifting Wednesday. For months, people and businesses have offered Snyder their help and support in re-creating Snyder's home with some modifications.

The new belfry is taller than the old one; a cross theme appeared with the placement of windows and doors.

"This is kind of a dream come true," said Snyder's friend and fellow Somers resident Janelle Logan. "When this church burned down, Sue died. She lost her home, her possessions and her health. Now it's all coming back."

"It's been an incredible effort of people here," Logan said.

Part-time neighbor John Thompson has spent nearly every day at the site for the past two months. He has known Snyder for about seven years. A lifelong builder, he retired as a college administrator in Spokane several years ago.

"I came up in March and she was hurting pretty bad. I said, 'I'll build a new home for you,'" Thompson said. He contacted a variety of local businesses and got "overwhelming support" in material and labor donations. He credits the small-town nature of the area with supporting the project.

It is repayment of sorts to Snyder, whose friends are happy to return the help she always has been willing to provide.

"Sue was always the first to help out, so it seemed right that everyone should pitch in to help," said Susan Thompson, wife of builder John Thompson.

If Thompson had charged for his time, it would have cost Snyder about $17,000. If Snyder had contracted to have the whole house built, it would have cost about $200,000.

Snyder calls Thompson's donation of time " a phenomenal gesture of love and friendship."

In June, a rummage sale, auction and concert raised about $20,000. A "Scarecrow Sue" account at Flathead Bank in Lakeside still is accepting donations.

Snyder hopes to move into the home by Halloween. She is living in an old "nail shed" next door, where she cooks on a hot plate and runs in an electrical cord from the neighbor's house.

Still to come is the electrical, plumbing, insulation, siding work and painting, as well as the installation of appliances and cabinets.

Outside her house is a list of businesses and people who have contributed.

She continues to heal from her burns. The healing skin is "super tight" and causes a lot of pain. Snyder takes 800 mg of Ibuprofen every four hours to deal with the pain. Despite the pain, Snyder says "my energy level is surprisingly grand."

Besides the constant work on her house, she is doing gardening work for clients as well.