Christine Faulstich

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Christine Faulstich, 104, of Highmore, passed away peacefully Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital in Miller; only a month short of her 105^th birthday.

Funeral Service was held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 24, 2018 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Highmore with Rev. Sara Kayser officiating. Burial followed at Highmore Cemetery. A prayer service was held at 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 23, 2018 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, with visitation one hour prior.

Christine Raske, youngest child of Hans and Hilke (Engberts) Raske, was born on the family farm in northern Hyde County on December 22, 1913. She joined seven siblings: Lena, Hagen, Richard, Ida, Everett, Henry, and Fred. Christine was baptized in a Presbyterian Church in Iowa, June 22, 1914. She was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Edwin Lutheran in north Hyde County.

She attended school in rural Washington and then Highmore High School where she graduated as class valedictorian in 1932. She earned the coveted “H” pin. While taking piano lessons in Highmore, she met a young man from northern Hand County taking accordion lessons. This young man was Elmer Faulstich, her future husband. Elmer and Christine were married in St. Michaels Lutheran Church, rural Orient, on May 1, 1934, during one of the infamous dirty thirty dust storms.

They initially started farming in Hand County on a farm near Elmer’s parents. In 1937, they moved to a farm in northern Hyde County, which they purchased in 1947. Their first born, Donlin, arrived in February of 1935, followed by siblings, Sharon in 1938, Patricia in 1942 and James in 1949.

Both Elmer and Christine were active in community affairs. Christine held various officer positions in the Lutheran Church circles, was Washington township treasurer for 18 years, American Cancer volunteer, Heart Association volunteer and a member of Hyde County Cancer board. Elmer passed away in July of 1973. Christine continued to live on the family farm until 1976, when she moved into Highmore. She was employed at Dales Highway Café and then by attorney David Axtman.

She continued to be active in Our Savior Lutheran Church and Mary Circle. She participated in sewing quilts for World Relief which were distributed for impoverished people in foreign lands. Christine was honored to be named both Old Settlers Day Queen and Highmore Healthcare snow queen. She loved to garden and continued to garden after she became a centenarian. Not only did she raise produce, she canned and froze the production for her winter needs. She continued to live by herself until after her 102^nd birthday. After a fall in her home, she entered Highmore Healthcare where she resided until her passing.

Christine will be greatly missed, and her memory will be cherished by her four children: Don (Gayle) Faulstich of Highmore, Sharon (George) Hurd of Nampa, ID; Pat (Jerry) Heckenlaible of Madison and Jim (Carol) Faulstich of Highmore; her 15 grandchildren; 24great grandchildren; 6 great great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Elmer; her siblings and their spouses; and a great granddaughter.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Christine's arrangements.