Mary Lou Rauk-Snitker

Mary Lou Rauk-Snitker, age 82, of Decorah, IA passed away Wednesday, June 12, 2019 peacefully at her home in Decorah. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at Big Canoe Lutheran Church in rural Decorah with Rev. Kurt Bockoven officiating. Burial will be in Big Canoe Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation is from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Monday, June 17 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah and on Tuesday beginning at 10:00 a.m., one hour before the service, at Big Canoe Lutheran Church. Mary Lou Rauk-Snitker was born on May 25, 1937 in Webster City, Iowa, the daughter of Marion and Genevieve (Clancy) Carter. She was one of five children. She graduated from Webster City High School with the class of 1955. She then attended Luther College in Decorah, IA where she earned her teaching certificate in 1959. Mary Lou was united in marriage to Steflet A. Rauk on August 10, 1958 in Fairmont, Minnesota. They were blessed with three children: Jonathan, Kristine and Richard. She later graduated from Luther College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education in 1980. She dedicated 30 years to teaching at North Winneshiek Elementary School. After retiring in 2000, she volunteered for numerous years throughout her local community. Mary Lou was a long time and very active member of Big Canoe Lutheran Church. She loved to sing and for many years participated in the Nordic Choir, Church Choir, Decorah Chorale, and Northern Lights. Mary Lou’s strong faith guided her daily. She loved spending time with her family and the gift of conversation with her friends. She enjoyed following local high school sporting activities and the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, giving greater celebration to the fall season. Years later she found love again and married Charles “Chuck” Snitker on July 3, 2005 in Decorah. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Susan Carter on March 11, 2004; and husbands Steflet Rauk on May 11, 1996 and Chuck Snitker on April 24, 2012.  Mary Lou is survived by her loving children: Jonathan (Sarah) Rauk of Ann Arbor, MI, Kristine (Rick) Snyder of Waukon, IA, and Richard Rauk of Decorah; her grandchildren: Benjamin Snyder, Andrew Snyder, Kaitlin (Austin Kammeyer) Snyder, Leigh Rauk, Crystal (Kyle) Anderson, Joshua (Ashley) Rauk, Taylor Rauk, and Oliva Rauk; her great grandchildren: Dominic, Kolt, Blakelyn, Hayden, and Piper; her siblings: Dennis Carter of Decorah, Neal Carter of Williamsville, VT and Lorraine Carter Borowski of Decorah; and brother-in-law Maynerd (Darlene) Rauk of Evansville, WI. In loving memory of Mary Lou, memorials may be given to Big Canoe Lutheran Church Improvement Fund, Big Canoe Lutheran Church, 1381 Big Canoe Road, Decorah, IA 52101.