Mrs. Lillian Christen, 88, of Hallettsville, died and went to her Lord Jesus on May 10, 2006. She was born on September 30, 1917, in Lavaca County, Texas, to John & Albina Albrecht Biehunko. She grew up on the family farm in the Old Kinkler area.  Attended Boethel School till the 7th grade.  Played third base on the school baseball team.  When not doing the many chores on the family farm, she was sewing, quilting, canning, and gardening.

She was married to Joseph Louis Christen on September 15, 1936 in Moravia, Texas, and raised 2 children. Later they built a home at Wied. Worked various jobs including picking cotton, packing tomatoes for shipment by train, and a cook at Renger's Hospital and Stevens Nursing Home.

An avid gardener; she grew many fruits and vegetables. She sold enough strawberries for a bus trip to Arizona to see her first grandchild. She's an expert seamstress, was able to sew clothes from a picture and a few measurements, without a pattern. Her grandchildren nickname her "Armadillo Grannie" because she would shoot armadillos with a 22 rifle. One year she killed 40.

She was a member or the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville, Catholic Daughters of America, and Christian Mothers.

She is survived by daughter Lillie Jo Kitten and husband Bruce of Shiner; brother Erwin Biehunko of Moulton; sister Millie Gerlich of Shiner; 2-grandchildren, Teresa Hill Kinsfather and husband Scott, and Shari Hill Ludwig; 6-great-grandchildren, Spenser Duncan, Dalton Lee Kinsfather, Cody Kinsfather, Steven Ludwig and wife Marguerite, Sara Ludwig, and Shane Ludwig

She is preceded in death by: husband Joseph Louis Christen (died May 5, 1981); parents John & Albina Albrecht Biehunko; son Tommie Joe Christen, grandson Jeffery Leroy Hill; 3-brothers Adolph, Edward, and John Biehunko; and 5-sisters Rosie Etheridge, Annie Honish, Hattie Ehler, Mary Kunetka, and Pauline Welfl.

Service: 2pm, Sunday, May 14, 2006 at Sacred Heart Church. Officiates: Rev. John Peters and Rev. Terry Horton. Visitation: 1pm, Saturday at Kubena Funeral Home. Rosary: 7pm, Saturday at Kubena Funeral Home. Burial: Sacred Heart Cemetery. Memorials: American Heart Association or Hospice of South Texas. Pallbearers: Johnnie Biehunko, Harvey Gene Ehler, Spenser Duncan, Ed Biehunko III, Michael Gerlich, Dennis Klekar, Joshua Horton, and Melvin Christen Jr. Honorary Pallbearers: Bruce Kitten, Grandchildren & Great-Grandchildren, Victor Watson, Dr. Justin Powell, Dr. Paul Anthony Tucker II, Elwin Biehunko, and Elvin Bretting.