Brother Mike

Donna’s eldest son and third born child, passed away just two weeks and two days after her last living sibling, Margaret Bertling. A Mass for Mike will be held at St. Pat’s in Waukon on June 2, 2024 at 8 AM. Here is his obituary.

Michael J. Snitker, 64, went to be with Jesus, his Lord and Savior on Thursday, February 15, 2024 at his home in Waukon, IA. Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 20th, at 1:00 PM at the Waukon Reception & Banquet Center with Pastor Lynn Furrow and Pastor Micah Roraff of Adoration Church in La Crosse, WI, officiating. Burial was at St. John The Baptist – West Ridge Cemetery, rural Waukon. Friends greeted the family from 11:00 AM until the time of services at the Waukon Reception & Banquet Center. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Veterans Memorial Hospital, Crossing Rivers Hospice, or Missionary Ventures International.

Michael James Snitker was born on June 1, 1959, to James and Donna (Trenkamp) Snitker of Waukon. He attended kindergarten in Waukon at the old opera house and was a student of Union Prairie #2 country school through second grade. He graduated from Waukon Senior High in 1977. Afterward, he earned certifications in Maytag and Whirlpool appliance repair. Mike utilized mechanical skills learned growing up on the farm later at Hardware Hank, as owner of Mike’s Appliance Care & Repair, at People’s Natural Gas, and as a licensed contractor. On February 25, 1978, Mike married his high school sweetheart, Julie Haas, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon. They made their home in Waukon, where they raised two daughters.

Mike was a member of the Waukon Jaycees and the CEW community; he was a prison minister, a missionary, and a good neighbor to anyone he met. In 1987, he became an EMT to better serve his community. In 1993, Mike was diagnosed with an advanced case of chronic, severe multiple sclerosis. In 1998, Mike felt led to participate in St Patrick’s Christian Experience weekend, where men gathered in unison to pray for his healing. It was the power of prayer and God alone that restored his health. Before Mike left for his first international mission trip, he heard the Lord’s audible voice telling him “Mike, go forth in faith, share the simple gospel and let my Holy Spirit evangelize with signs, wonders and miracles.”

As a Minister of the Gospel, Mike took missionary trips to Brazil, Uganda, Mexico, Cameroon, Russia, India, England, and many US states, fulfilling the commission the Lord had given him. In 2007-2008, he provided flood recovery in Rushford, MN, for 18 months using his contractor skills and sharing the Gospel with all he met. Mike was recognized for his service, receiving the Waukon Good Samaritan Volunteer of the Year, Governor’s Volunteer Award for work with Toys for Tots, Senatorship Award for life membership achievements with the Jaycees’ Junior Chamber International, which is the most prestigious award and highest honor a member can receive, and more. Mike enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, and being outdoors. He enjoyed time spent with family, friends, and especially his grandchildren. He found ways to make work and play enjoyable. His visits for coffee and conversation were appreciated. Often these conversations led him to bear witness to the Power of the Lord. His testimony challenged and inspired; his experiences live on in writings, recordings, and our sharing memories.

He is survived by his wife Julie of Waukon; two daughters: Michelle (Jim) Julius of Grimes, IA, and Melissa (Teddy) Hughes Jr. of Postville, IA; four grandchildren: Chloe and Brody Hughes and Avery and Marisa Julius; a great-grandson Dean Schwan; his mother Donna Snitker of Waukon; nine siblings: Sheila (Mike) Mullen, Diane (Don Blume) Bissell, Linda (Ricky) Ricketts, Bonnie (Dean) Brink, Peggy (Jerry Lawman) Sass, Susie (Jamie) Brannigan, Marc (Erica Thompson) Snitker, Sandi (Paul) Leska Jr., and Marcia ( Chris) Dearduff; three sisters-in-law: Mary (Mike) Finnegan, Carol (Gayle) Decker, and Christine (John) Murphy; two brothers-in-law: Ted (Dianne) Haas and Tom (Annette) Haas; and many nieces and nephews.

Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents: Lorrayne Snitker, Ronald Snitker, Leota Snitker, Anton Trenkamp, and Mary Trenkamp; his father James Snitker; brothers-in-law: John Bissell and Greg Sass; and nephew Jeremy Bissell.

Honorary casketbearers are Brody and Chloe Hughes and Avery and Marisa Julius.Casketbearers are Arvid Hatlan, Corky Keatley, Jim Julius, Marc Snitker, Mike Mullen, and Teddy Hughes Jr.