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OBITUARY

Christiana KOCH, daughter of Michael and Katharina KOCH, was born February 20, 1880, in Alexanderfeldt, Russia. She was baptized February 24, 1880. On May 1, 1894, she was confirmed by Pastor Schultz and became a confessing member of the Lutheran church at Wannoffka, Russia. She was united in marriage with Christian BABITZKE on November 5, 1901, in Eigenfeldt, Russia, by Rev. Wilhelm Asinus.

She arrived with her husband in America March 12, 1902, and came to Oklahoma where they established their home near Shattuck, Oklahoma, where they resided 13 years, before moving to Lipscomb county, near Lipscomb, Texas, residing there 32 years.

In 1946 they moved to Higgins, Texas, and have resided here since.

To this union were born 12 children. One son, Jacob BABITZKE, preceded her in death on November 3, 1958.

She departed this life on November 26, 1961, at the age of 81 years, 9 months, 6 days, at the Newman Memorial Hospital, Shattuck, Oklahoma.

She leaves to mourn six sons: T. C. of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Bert and Christ Jr. of Canadian, Texas, Paul and Henry of Booker, Texas, Ben of Higgins, Texas, five daughters: Dollie LONGHOFER and Valentine SCHOENHALS of Lipscomb, Texas, Emma SCHNEIDER of Gage, Oklahoma, Anita SCHOENHALS of Perryton, Texas, and Erna BEARD of Plainview, Texas, also 35 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, five brothers: Jacob KOCH, Michael KOCH, Tobias KOCH, John KOCH and Paul KOCH; three sisters: Katharina APPEL, Martha MEIER and Mary HINTHER, and a host of relatives and friends.

(Published in the United States, Obituaries, American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, November 26, 1961.)
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