Snitker, Benjie A.

Benjie A. Snitker, 85, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Center Point and Palo, died at St. Luke's Hospital, Monday, Dec. 5, 2011. Services: 1 p.m. Friday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories by Pastor Lenny Power of the Brandon Church of Christ. Interment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Survivors include his children, Connie (Bob) Short, Carl Snitker, Jerry (Connie) Snitker and Rodney (Christy) Snitker, all of Cedar Rapids, Douglas (Sue) Snitker of Center Point, Michele (Brad) Erger of Brandon, and Kim (Brook) Peterson of Swisher; two sister, Shirley (Donald) Johnson of Decorah, and Marion Wirkler of Monona; 19 grandchildren, Tina, Curt, Matt, Jeff, Reece, Skylar, Jared, Jordan, Caden, Ryan, Riley, Reid, Ross, Lehia, Lindsey, Austin, Kiley, Taylor and Trey; and three great-grandchildren, Blake, Siara and Danny.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Loretta; son, Curtis; brothers, Ervin, Lawrence, Robert, Walter, Jim and Merlin; and his sisters, Arleen and Gertrude.

Ben was born April 28, 1926, in Waukon, to Elmer and Emma Snitker. He married Loretta Mae O'Hare there on April 27, 1948. She died in 2009. Ben was employed by Penick and Ford for over 28 years, retiring in 1979. He was an Army veteran of World War II. Ben loved woodworking, gardening, fishing and boating; especially camping on the Mississippi and his cabin on the Wapsi.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be sent to under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Dec. 6, 2011.