John Schnitzler

John Schnitzler, age 91, of Decorah, IA, died on Tuesday, January 22, 2013, at the Aase Haugen Nursing Home in Decorah, IA. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 25, 2013, at the Burr Oak Lutheran Church, 2358 – 360th Street, Decorah, IA, with Rev. Matt Larson presiding. Burial will be in the Burr Oak Cemetery, Burr Oak, Iowa. Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m., on Thursday, January 24, 2013, at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Avenue in Decorah, IA, and also after 10:00 a.m., at the church on Friday morning. John Hiller Schnitzler was born on June 13, 1921, the son of John and Edith (Hiller) Schnitzler near Burr Oak, Iowa. John was baptized on July 10, 1921, at the Burr Oak German Lutheran Church, which is now the Burr Oak Lutheran Church, by Pastor Otto Doering. He was confirmed at the Orleans Lutheran Church in 1950. John attended country school in Pleasant Township and near Bluffton, and graduated from Decorah High School in 1941. He attended Luther College for one year. John was drafted into World War II on Dec. 20, 1945, serving in Japan, until Feb. 6, 1947. He married Evelyn Falck on June 30, 1950, at the Orleans Lutheran Church near Ridgeway, IA. Together they farmed near Bluffton for over sixty years. John enjoyed all aspects of farming, going canoeing as a family and all family activities. His life was his family, the animals, the crops and the farm. John received the Pioneer Dairyman Award and the Beef Award. Over the years, John and Evelyn enjoyed attending the Winneshiek County Fair. John was a member of the Burr Oak Lutheran Church, where he served on the church council and was an usher. He also was a member of the Farm Bureau and the NFO. John is survived by his wife: Evelyn Schnitzler, Decorah, IA. One daughter: Jan Schnitzler, Decorah, IA. Three sons: John D. (Roxanne) Schnitzler, Decorah, IA; Jim (Judy) Schnitzler, Decorah, IA; and Joel (Jeanne) Schnitzler, Dell, MT. Seven granddaughters: Christina (Bryan) Beaver, Jessica (Eric) Rediske, Sarah (Chad) Smith, Holly Schnitzler, Jayme (Kyle) Tash, Peggy (fiancé, Andy Miller) Schnitzler and Jenna Schnitzler. One grandson: John Peter (Elyse) Schnitzler. Nine great grandchildren: Shayla, Kayleigh, Bentley & Allysen Smith, Natalie & Colton Beaver, Elora & John Toby Schnitzler and Bailey Miculinich. Four sisters: Margaret (friend, Frank Klemm) Kamp, Marion, IA; Joyce Mailey, Cedar Rapids, IA; Edna Lou (Ted) Schrandt, Decorah, IA; and Dorothy Kay (Ronald) Barth, Cedar Rapids, IA. Two brothers: Charles (Fran) Schnitzler, Burr Oak, IA, and Donald (Carol) Schnitzler, Decorah, IA. Sisters and brothers-in-law: Julie Marhoul, Decorah, IA: Maxine Falck, Cresco, IA; Norma (Louis) Albertson, Ridgeway, IA; Alice Kurash, Spillville, IA; Janice Broghammer, Decorah, IA; Linda (Galen) Huhe, Cresco, IA; and Howard (Marlys) Falck, Chester, IA, along with many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Evelyn’s aunt: Helen Davis, Canton, MN. John was preceded in death by his parents: John and Edith (Hiller) Schnitzler. Two brothers: Carl (Mabel) Schnitzler and Milton Schnitzler. His father and mother-in-law: Fred and Verna (Davis) Falck. Brothers-in-law: Kenneth Faaberg, Louis Kamp, Vernon Falck, Stanley Kurash and John Broghammer. One niece: Becky Hauser.