Jean Snitker
Jean P. Snitker, 94, of Postville died Saturday, September 28, 2019 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 3 at 11 a.m. at Zalmona Presbyterian Church in rural Waukon with Pastor Tim Rupert officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may greet the family from 9 a.m. until time of service at the church Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Zalmona Presbyterian Church or Good Samaritan Center in Postville.
Jean Phyllis Snitker was born October 30, 1924 in rural Waukon, the daughter of Edward and Clara (Winke) Kugel. She was baptized and, April 2, 1939, confirmed at Zalmona Presbyterian Church. Jean attended Ludlow #2 rural school through eighth grade and graduated from Waukon High School in 1942.
November 26, 1942, she married Merlin Calvin Snitker at the Zion United Church of Christ parsonage in Waukon. To this union three sons and four daughters were born. Jean and Merlin were involved in farming all of their working lives. Their first several years together they farmed at several different area places until settling on what would be their home farm in Ludlow Township in 1954. Jean would continue living in the country until 2015 when she moved to Grand Meadow Glen where she quickly made friends and truly enjoyed her new “family”.
Throughout her life, Jean maintained a strong faith in God. As a loyal member of Zalmona Presbyterian Church she taught Sunday School, assisted with vacation Bible School, and was involved in Presbyterian Women and Circles. She enjoyed listening to Billy Graham and Dr. David Jeremiah as well as other Christian programs on the radio. Jean liked to write and sent numerous cards and letters to friends and family, and she also kept a journal of her daily life. She also enjoyed reading, gardening and puzzles, and was an excellent cook and baker, never letting a visitor in her home go hungry.
She appreciated some special times with Merlin as they traveled to a wide variety of places across the country. Family was central to Jean’s life, which she demonstrated by the way she raised her children, cared for her mother the last two years of her life, and kept up with the activities of her many grandchildren and their families.
Survivors include her children: Larry (Sharon) Snitker of Waukon, Suzanne Berg of Decorah, Julie (Donald) Russell of DeWitt, Jolene (Joe) Duwe of Postville, Randy (Beth) Snitker of Postville and Glen Snitker of Chandler, AZ; 15 grandchildren: Todd (Rhonda) Snitker, Christi (John) Regan, Corey Snitker, Ryan (Trista) Snitker, Tracy (John) Hjelle, Aaron Berg, Brian (Eva) Olson, Bruce (Erika) Olson, Tina (Zachary) Summers, Travis (Julie) Russell, Shannon (Michele) Duwe, Angie (Dustin) Mohs, Bradley (Heather) Snitker, Matthew (Natalie) Snitker, and Anthony (Mark) Snitker; 31 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren; her sisters-in-law, Sandi Kugel and Betty Snitker; a brother-in-law, Don Johnson; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Merlin, who died in 1993; a daughter, Diane (Tennis) Foels; a grandson, Adam Berg; her sister, Verla Cade; her brother, Arlyn Kugel; 10 brothers-in-law and nine sisters-in-law.
Her grandchildren will serve as casketbearers and honorary casketbearers. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
