Dora Jean Snitker

Dora Jean E. Snitker, 94, of Waukon, IA, went to her heavenly home on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. She will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 11th, at 11:00 AM at Salem United Church of Christ in rural Waukon with Pastor Sue Klimstra officiating and burial at the church cemetery. Friends may greet the family from 4:00 - 7:00 PM Monday at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon.

Dora Jean Ethyl Snitker was born April 5, 1930, in Postville, IA, 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, IA, 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 on 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 enjoyed music, singing, and dancing. Jean was someone to count on to know all the words to all the hymns and 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; daughters: Connie (Craig) Wenthe, Linda (Kayle) Drape, Nancy (Mike) Uhlenberg, and Vickie Snitker; 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 due in October 2024; and one great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bernard Snitker in 2014; daughter-in-law Denise Kiesau; granddaughter Jamie Lynn Drape; sisters: Helen Adam Harnack, Bernice (Eldo) Hoffman, Margie (Elmer) Heins, and Irene (Bob) Rose; infant brother Clarence Henry; mother and father-in-law Daniel and Elsie Snitker; her special friend Vince Haas; and 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 are her granddaughters and her grandsons will serve as casketbearers.