Grand Marshal
Ralph & Janet Snelson
Ralph and Janet Snelson will serve as the grand marshals of the 2024 Art City Days Grand Parade. Ralph and Janet Snelson are life-long citizens of Springville. Ralph is 93 and Janet is 91. The population of Springville when they were born was about 4,000; it’s now close to 36,000. Most businesses then were located along Main Street in the city’s Plat A (400 North to 400 South and 400 East to 400 West). Ralph’s father, Ralph, and his mother, Faye, owned and operated Snelson Photo Studio. This is where he learned the photography business and experimented
with the new development: color photographs. Janet’s father owned Robertson’s feed store (later Robertson’s Marine) across the street from the photo studio.
Ralph and Janet attended Jefferson Elementary School, Springville Junior High School and Springville High School. Ralph attended Brigham Young University and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in math and science education. Janet attended LDS Business College in Salt Lake City.
Although they knew each other, they didn’t pay any attention to each other. They became interested when Ralph returned from serving an LDS church mission in Northern California. They were married in November of 1953. They have four children: Michael (Jackie), Richard (Christine), David (Laurie) and Doug (Gayla). They have 17 grandchildren and
38 great-grandchildren.
Ralph served for two years in the U.S. Army. He trained at Fort Ord, California, and was assigned duty in Korea. Janet served at home, caring for their first son, Michael, who was only 9 months old.
Ralph began his teaching career at Springville Junior High School in 1957. He taught science and math for two or three years, then just math for the rest of his 30-year career. In 1967, he received the Artist of Life award for “Distinguished Service and Outstanding Accomplishment in Teaching.” Janet worked at Springville Bank (now Central Bank) for 13 years.
Ralph and Janet established Snelson PhotoColor Lab in 1973. This business served the lab needs of professional photographers all over the state. Together, they received the Professional
Photographers of America national award for “Meritorious Contributions to Professional Photography.”
When they retired, the business was turned over to their son, Michael, and Roger Rigby, who have continued to operate it as a service to anyone who needs any sort of digital imaging. Ralph and Janet have a beautiful yard that has been featured in the Hidden Garden event and received the Hidden Garden award two different years. The yard has been used as the venue for wedding photos and other memorable events.
Ralph served as a temple worker in the Provo Utah Temple for four years and as a sealer for 12 years. When the Provo City Center Temple opened, he and Janet were called to serve there, Ralph as a sealer and Janet as sealing office receptionist, for six years.