Date of Death: 16 Jun 1916
Subject: Catherine (Berger) Houghtaling
Source: Savannah Reporter, 23 Jun 1916
Mrs. J. W. Houghtaling passed away Friday morning, June 16, 1916, after a brief illness at the home of her daughter, Mrs. C. A. McCoppin in Maryville. The body was brought to her own home in Bolckow on Saturday evening and on Sunday afternoon her former pastor, Rev. H. McNamee of Hopkins, assisted by Rev. J. G. Barnes, conducted the funeral service in the presence of a large number of relatives and friends after which her body was laid to rest beside that of her husband in the Bolckow cemetery.
Kate Berger was born in Wayne county, OH on September 21, 1839. When about 16 years of age, she came to Boone County, Illinois, and on December 31, 1863, was united in marriage to John W. Houghtaling near Belvidere, Illinois. To this union four children were born: Mrs. C. A. McCoppin of Maryville; Mrs. J. O. Dougan of Bolckow; Frank E. Houghtaling of Portis, Ks., and Raymond L. Houghtaling of Bedford, Ia., all of whom were present at the funeral.
At the close of the Civil War, she came with her husband to Nodaway county and located on what is still the Houghtaling farm four and one-half miles northeast of Bolckow. In the fall of 1899, they moved to what is now the O. E. Peters home near Bolckow where they resided until Mr. Houghtaling's death on February 10, 1905, after which Mrs. Houghtaling moved to the place in town which remained her home.
For some months past she had been in failing health and was persuaded to live with her daughter, who gave her every care. Although very frail, her final illness was of brief duration and her death came as a shock to all.
In early life, she was converted and was a charter member of the Bolckow M. E. church of which she continued a faithful member until her death. She was also a charter member of Bolckow Chapter O.E.S., always taking an active interest in the work.
Besides the children she leaves nine grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and many friends, who will miss her. Among the relatives and friends from out of town who attended the funeral were: C.L. Berger and Mrs. W.F. Kirkpatrick of Kansas City; Mrs. Joseph Doherty and son of Omaha, NE; Mr. and Mrs. Don C. Dougan and son of Ford City; Mr. and Mrs. Chester Bennett and daughter of Maryville; Mr. and Mrs. John Harkrider of St. Joseph; Mr. and Mrs. George Robinson of Bedford, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Dory Snyder and Mrs. H. McNamee, Hopkins, Mo.