DuWayne "Dewey" Snitker
DuWayne “Dewey” C. Snitker, 87, of Waukon died Sunday, June 8, 2025, surrounded by family at Thornton Manor in Lansing. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 13 at 11 a.m. at Salem United Church of Christ in rural Waukon with Pastor Karla Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Friends may greet the family from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, June 12 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred.
DuWayne Carleton Snitker was born April 29, 1938, in rural Waukon. He was the eighth of 10 children born to Leonard and Wilhemina “Minnie” (Flage) Snitker. He was baptized and confirmed at Salem United Church of Christ. DuWayne was a lifetime member of Salem United Church of Christ serving on many church committees. He was a survivor of polio at the tender age of 1-1/2. He and his mother lived in the basement to prevent the rest of the family from contracting the disease.
DuWayne attended Ludlow #4 school through eighth grade and graduated from Waukon High School in 1956. In high school, he played football and wrestled and was a very adventurous-type person. After high school, he found a girl by the name of Laurayne Bruns and fell in love. They were married June 29, 1958, at Salem United Church of Christ. From this union, six children were born.
From a very early age, DuWayne was a jack-of-all trades. His work experience took him from leaving home to work on a neighbor’s farm at the age of 11, to the Rath Packing Plant in Waterloo after high school, back to farming on his own, to many aspects of the building construction industry, to the agricultural business world, to several positions with the city and the county.
One thing he was tremendously proud of was serving Waukon as Mayor from 1986-1989. DuWayne and Laurayne also owned and operated the infamous Dewey’s Do Drop Inn. He often commented on changes he had seen during his lifetime from farming with horses to modern technologies.
DuWayne played softball and bowled for many years for teams that were sponsored by his brother, David, as Dave’s Feed & Farm. His other hobbies included following his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their activities. DuWayne was an avid Waukon Indian fan and supporter. He also loved playing cards with friends and family, as well as tinkering around the farm. Another of DuWayne’s passions was being an active member of the Waukon Lions Club. He was recently recognized as a 50-year member.
DuWayne is survived by his wife, Laurayne; his six children, Dawn (Gary) Farley, Jeff (Pat) Snitker, Jon (Nancy) Snitker, Kim (Greg) Schaller and Ted (Lisa) Snitker, all of Waukon, and Niki (Troy) Tilleraas of Osceola, WI. He is also survived by 21 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren with #40 on the way. He is survived by his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Patricia, Mary Lou and Sheila Snitker, Kenny (Kathy) Bruns, Bob (Lori) Bruns, Ronnie (Colleen) Bruns, Linda (Charles) Albright, Cheryl (Curt) Roe, Mary Bruns and Nancy (Bob) Sloup; along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings and their spouses: Donald and Loretta, Junior and Phyllis, Lloyd and Joyce, David and Janet, LaVonne and Wayne Brandt, LeRoy (died in infancy), Jane, Earl and Dennis Snitker, and Patricia and Steven Bruns; two granddaughters, Sarah Schaller and Chantel Snitker; his mother- and father-in-law, Herb and Marie Bruns; and his step mother-in-law Helen Bruns; along with several nieces and nephews.
Casketbearers are his children and honorary casketbearers are his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Always remember DuWayne’s advice: DON’T TAKE ANY WOODEN NICKELS.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
