Lillijo Kitten, 70, of Wied, passed away Dec. 20, 2009. She was born on January 22, 1939 in her grandparent's farmhouse, to her parents Lillian Biehunko and Joseph Christen. Her name Lillijo came from her parents first names Lillian and Joseph. As a child, Lillijo was always found at her grandparent's farmhouse playing around and having a fun time. As the firstborn grandchild, she was very spoiled by her Biehunko grandparents.

At the age of 5 Lillijo developed polio in her legs and had to be hospitalized in Jeff Davis hospital in Houston, Texas during the polio epidemic. After Lillijo recovered from her battle with polio, she and her family moved back to Hallettsville, Texas living in a little pink house next to Wied Hall. She attended Wied School and ultimately graduated as Salutatorian of Hallettsville High School Class of 1957. She attended business school in Victoria, got married and had three children, Teresa, Shari, and Jeff, whom she raised singlehandedly through difficult times.

Lillijo was an amazing woman of faith, woman of God, and lover of His True Word. Brokenhearted after the tragic death of her son Jeff in 1982, she ran away to Israel. While walking in Jesus' footsteps through the Holy Land her whole life changed as she gave her life to Christ and was baptized in the Jordan River. After returning from Israel, a new woman full of hope, love, freedom and joy she married the love of her life and best friend Bruce Kitten.

She absolutely glowed with the joy of her salvation as she boldly shared the love of Christ with anyone who would listen. Quick to listen, pray and love, always pointing back to the Lord, she warned those who sought her wise counsel to "go to the throne before you get to the phone." Titus 2:3-4 teaches the older women in the church to live reverently and to teach the younger women to "love their husbands and children, be self controlled and pure… to be busy at home..." Lillijo was our Titus woman, and her voice will long echo in our hearts and spirits as we aim to follow in her footsteps, keeping our eyes on Jesus.

Her love and care for children, for their coming to Christ, for their understanding His Word filled her life in these last several years. Lillijo could be found every June co-teaching Vacation Bible School with Cheryl Pavliska. She sat in her special rocking chair, Bible open on her lap, hungry inquisitive children eagerly listening as she poured the living Word of God all over them. Through TeamKID she continued her beautiful legacy of faith, loving the children of Hallettsville, tenderly leading them to Him. Lillijo was full of joyful song, sharing the light of Jesus even through her terrible diagnosis of ovarian cancer in November 2007. She knew the plans He had for her were "good and not for calamity", as Jeremiah 29:11 says. She boldly checked on everyone's salvation from her oncologist to the checkers at the grocery store saying "I'd rather risk offending someone by telling them about Jesus than risk their eternal condemnation."

During her journey through cancer, she has inspired many with her joyful, hopeful outlook, often reminding us all that the Bible says "do not fear" 365 times. Teresa Kinsfather, more than a doctor—a daughter first—walked this path boldly with her mom, always available to lend her medical expertise as well as her love and care. No mom could have been prouder. Bruce tenderly held her hand and cared for her with the love Christ commanded of husbands, all the way Home.

The loss of Lillijo will leave a huge hole in our lives in the family of faith at First Baptist Church, but especially her beloved Bruce, Teresa, Shari, grandchildren, and dear family and friends who loved her so much. Her beautiful singing voice was stolen in June, but no doubt resounds in Heaven now as she sings for her King for all eternity.

Lillijo is survived by: husband Bruce; 2 daughters, Dr. Teresa Kinsfather & husband Scott of Giddings, and Shari Ludwig of Houston; 6 grandchildren, J. Spenser Duncan, Dalton and Cody Kinsfather, and Steven, Sara, and Shane Ludwig; and great grandchild Michael Ludwig.

Lillijo was preceded in death by; her parents, son Jeffery Leroy Hill, and brother Joe "Tommy" Christen.

Funeral Service: 2 pm, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009 at First Baptist Church. Visitation: 2 pm, Tuesday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Prayer Service: 7 pm, Tuesday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Officiate: Rev. Terry Horton. Pallbearers: James Spenser Duncan, David Scott Kinsfather, Dalton Lee Kinsfather, Cody Scott Kinsfather, Vernon James Surman, Steven Ludwig, Shane Ludwig, and Coach Derek L. Fitzhenry. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Memorials: World Vision, American Cancer Society – Ovarian Cancer Awareness, Scholarship for First Baptist Church TeamKid, Pregnant Unwed Mothers Support - Gabriel Project (512-238-1246), or Focus On The Family.