Calvin Snitker

Calvin D. Snitker, 92, of Waukon, IA, died Friday, January 8, 2016, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 13th, at 11:00 AM at Salem United Church of Christ in rural Waukon, with Pastor Sue Klimstra officiating. Burial with military honors will be at the church cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Tuesday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Quilts of Valor-Julie Rotach, 1106 2nd Street NW, Waukon, IA 52172, or to Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon.

Calvin Daniel Snitker was born on December 14, 1923, in Postville, Iowa to Daniel T. and Elsie (Flage) Snitker. He grew up on the Dewitt Farm, Ludlow, and later moved with his family to the Fred Sanderman Farm. He attended school at Ludlow No. 3, Krumme School. In 1933, his family moved to the B.K. Orr farm in Post Township and Calvin attended school at Myron. In 1937, they moved to the Henry Snitker Farm in Ludlow. He farmed with his family until 1944, at which time he joined the Navy and was part the Sea Bees. His tour of duty started with boot camp in Farragut, Idaho, then to Port Hueneme, California, until he shipped to Okinawa. He remained in Okinawa until the war was over. After he served two years in the Navy, he returned to the "Home" place until his marriage to Kathleen Ellingson, October 27, 1946.

This new couple lived on Louise Hansmeier's farm in Ludlow until 1948, when they moved to the "Home" place and farmed with his parents. In 1952, they moved to and established their own farm life by renting the old McAneny farm in Union Prairie Township from Karl Simmons. They purchased the farm in 1965. Calvin always enjoyed farming and he and Kathleen worked hard building their Holstein milking herd and raising market cattle and hogs. In 1987, Calvin designed and built a new house adjacent to the farm. Even though Calvin claimed to be semi-retired, he remained active on the family farm, working alongside his son Kirk, and also spent many hours in his wood-working shop where he used his hands to make beautiful things (curio cabinets, chime clocks, toy boxes, jewelry boxes, etc.) that would touch the lives of so many.

Calvin was a life-long member of Salem United Church of Christ. He was a member of Kiwanis for many years and served numerous terms as a board member and was president of the Waukon Equity Coop and the Salem United Church of Christ consistory.

Calvin is survived by four children: Suzanne (Dan) Robinson of Ankeny, IA, Karen Snitker of Prairie du Chien, WI, Jackie (Steve) Rubendall of Waukon, and Kirk (Lisa Schaller) of Waukon; ten grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; a brother Nathan Snitker of Viola, IL; four sisters-in law: Sandy Pierce of Sacramento, CA, Jean Snitker of Waukon, and Mary and Lorena Ellingson of Decorah; brother-in-law Edward Shelby of Florida; and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Calvin is preceded in death by his wife Kathleen; his parents; his brother Bernard and sister Evelyn; his father and mother- in-law Harris and Henrietta (Hendrickson) Ellingson; five brothers-in-law; and four sisters-in-law.

Honorary casketbearers are Suzanne and Dan Robinson; Lindsay, Andy, Jasmine, Jade, and Aysia Moser; Danna, Jesse, Caden, and Calvin Saathoff; Karen Snitker; Lisa Snitker; Tara, Kevin, Jacob, Janelle, and Emily Reinhardt; and Laurel, Jake, Kodi Rose, and Ryder Sweeney. Casketbearers are Travis and Ken Roffman, Aaron Robinson, Derek Snitker, Blake Rubendall, Mandy Meyer, Steve and Jackie Rubendall, and Kirk Snitker.