Dora Jean Snitker
Dora Jean E. Snitker, 94, of Waukon went to her heavenly home Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. She will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 11 at Salem United Church of Christ in rural Waukon with Pastor Sue Klimstra officiating and burial at the church cemetery.
Dora Jean Ethyl Snitker was born April 5, 1930, in Postville, the daughter of Ross and Ora (Honn) Thornton. After graduating from Postville High School, she worked at the Postville poultry plant and at the Waukon Soda Grill. In 1948, Jean married Dale Albert Kiesau at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, and they had a son, Steven. For many years, Jean worked on their dairy farm, milking cows and helping with field work. She and Dale later divorced.
While waitressing, Jean met Bernard Snitker and they later married November 12, 1977, at Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in rural Postville. Jean was then blessed with four lovely daughters: Connie, Linda, Nancy and Vickie. They lived in Waukon for a couple years before moving to an acreage outside of town in 1980, where they raised sheep and lambs, and later the grandchildren loved going to visit.
Jean also worked for Northern Engraving, The Fireplace, and was a “lunch lady” for Allamakee County schools. She greatly enjoyed working with the children and made many friends with her co-workers.
Jean’s legacy was her love of God, family, church, and her faith; Jean was an active member at Salem United Church of Christ. She was happiest when she could make her family meals for holidays and birthdays. She made great cookies, pies, a secret ingredient German potato salad, and beans.
Sometimes there were tears of joy to see you and more tears when you left; you always felt the love with that extra hug and several kisses before leaving.
Blessed with a green thumb, her houseplants and outdoor flowers, including her geraniums, were always a source of pride. Steve would give her a corsage every year for Mother’s Day, which she would dry and keep.
Jean loved all animals and the sheep and farm cats they kept on the acreage brought her much joy. After she went to Good Sam, Jean was delighted when someone brought in a pet to visit.
She also enjoyed music, singing, and dancing. Jean was someone to count on to know all the words to all the hymns, and she sang loud and proud. When Steve was a kid, Jean taught him how to polka while milking the cows and later, she and Bernard liked square dancing. She spent a lot of time playing euchre as well.
Jean is survived by her loving son, Steven (Susan) Kiesau; her daughters, Connie (Craig) Wenthe, Linda (Kayle) Drape, Nancy (Mike) Uhlenberg, and Vickie Snitker; her grandchildren, Shannon, Matthew, and Carla Kiesau, Amanda (Joseph) Wall, Chrissa (Mike) Malli, Cory (Jody) Wenthe, Jason Drape, Tonya (Jay) Speicher, Brandon (Cindy) Uhlenberg, Brock (Jacque) Uhlenberg, Lacey (Matt) Runyon, Brice (Kathy) Wood, Landon Wood, and Mattison Pladsen; 21 great-grandchildren, with one more due in October 2024; and one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bernard Snitker, in 2014; her daughter-in-law, Denise Kiesau; her granddaughter, Jamie Lynn Drape; her sisters, Helen (Walter) Adams, Bernice (Eldo) Hoffman, Margie (Elmer) Heins, and Irene (Bob) Rose; an infant brother, Clarence Henry; her mother- and father-in-law, Daniel and Elsie Snitker; her special friend, Vince Haas; and her former husband, Dale Kiesau.
Jean’s family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Good Samaritan Society and the nurses at WinnMed Hospice for their special care of Dora Jean.
Honorary casketbearers were her granddaughters, and her grandsons served as casketbearers. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
