Cleone Arvin Snitker

Cleone Arvin Snitker, 84 of Postville, Iowa passed away Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at WinnMed in Decorah, Iowa. Cleone Arvin was born June 19, 1940 to Willard and Esther (Kruger) Snitker on a farm near Frankville, Iowa. He was baptized on August 18, 1940 at Salem Reformed Church and confirmed December 20, 1953 at the Community Presbyterian Church.

Cleone started working for local farmers when he was twelve years old and in high school Cleone worked at the filling station. He attended and graduated from Postville High School with the class of 1958.

On October 26, 1963 Cleone was united in marriage with Kathrine A Schmidt at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Postville, Iowa. Three children were born to this union. Cleone worked at Hygrade Foods as a meat cutter for twenty years. After Hygrade closed, he hauled milk in Waukon for over twenty years, and then would substitute drive when needed.

Cleone was known for being an incredible, hardworking man and a perfectionist in all he did. He was a self-taught wood worker and an expert gardener, growing over sixty gardens through the years. He enjoyed eating out, traveling, fishing, and attending family events. His favorite was anything chocolate. Cleone was a volunteer for RSVP and a man with a quiet nature and a very soft heart for all.

Surviving Cleone are his wife, Kathrine Snitker of Postville, Iowa; children, Colleen (Richard) Walvatne of Waverly, Iowa, Kara (Darrell) Winger of Bakersfield, California and Kirby (Linda) Snitker of Dubuque, Iowa; six grandchildren, Madison (Austin) Durscher of Shell Rock, Iowa, Alexander Winger of Henderson, Neveda, Zachary Winger of Henderson, Neveda, Paige Snitker of New York, New York, Rachel Walvatne (fiancé, Kyler Murdock) of Denver, Iowa and Reed Snitker of Grand Rapids, Michigan; two great-grandchildren, Theodore Durscher and Calvin Durscher both of Shell Rock, Iowa; sisters, Loretta Backhaus and Cheryl Thornton both of Sherwood, Arkansas; sister-in-law, Renee (John) Bernath of Long Beach, California; nieces and nephews, Jackie Peterson, Tina Klahn, Lori Backhaus, Brenda Kerr, Andrea Eliassen. and Ryan Bernath; and numerous cousins.

Cleone was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Esther Snitker; mother-in-law, LaVila Schmidt; brothers-in-law, Jack Backhaus and Curtis Thornton; and one niece, Connie Thornton.

Funeral Service will be at 11:00 am with a visitation from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Monday, November 25, 2024 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville, Iowa with Rev. Lynn Noel as the officiant.

Inurnment will follow in the Postville Cemetery, Postville, Iowa.

Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Postville, Iowa is assisting the family with services.

Click here to visit the Schutte-Grau Funeral Home website.