Christina Dobler Knodel -- 1962

    Final rites for Mrs. Christina Knodel, a pioneer and resident of the Settlement for 72 years were conducted Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. at the Hope Congregational Church.  The Rev.  V.J. Lamm officiated at the services and Hendricks Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.
        A double male quartet sang, "Going Down the Valley," "Asleep in Jesus," and "Wonderful Peace." They were accompanied on the piano by Esther Gramm.  Pall bearers were Albert and Emil Strobel, John and Ted Dobler, John Adolf and Chris Kramer.  Burial was in Hope Congregational Cemetery.
        Christina Wilhelmina Dobler, the next to the oldest of 16 children of Christian and Dorthea Handel Dobler, was born Oct. 4, 1866, at Bessariaba, Russia.  She departed this life at 5 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, 1962, in the home of her daughter, Lydia Schaal.  Her earthly sojourn was 95 years, 8 months and 16 days.
         In 1885 she came with her parents to, America where they settled at Scotland, S.D., and lived for the next five year.  In 1890 the family moved to the Settlement community north of Bethune.
        Christina Dobler and Peter Knodel were united in marriage in 1893.  They made their home on a farm in the Settlement.  To this union eight children were born.  Four of the children preceded their parents in death, John, Lydia and Emma, who died in 1907 within a week of each other of scarlet fever, and an infant who died at birth.  Mr. Knodel died in 1909.  Mrs. Knodel stayed on the farm and raised her children.  From 1936 to 1945 she made her home with her son, Emil.  In 1945 she went to live with her daughter, Lydia, where she was living at the time of her death.
       As a young girl she was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church in the old country and remained in the Lutheran Church until after Mr. Knodel passed away.  In 1912 she and the children united with Hope Congregational Church where she was a member at the time of her death.
      Survivors include her two sons, Theodore Knodel of Bethune and Emil Knodel of Denver; two daughters, Mary Schaal (Mrs. John G.) of Wapato, Wash., and Lydia Schaal (Mrs. Matt) of Stratton; one sister, Theresa Leuppe of Beulah, N.D.; 15 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.