Christine Ingeborg Cunningham was born on February 23, 1925 to Georg and Katharina Spichtinger in Zwickau, Germany. Christine, then known as Christa, grew up in what was to become East Germany. As a young adult after World War II she worked in another city and became separated from her family including her young son, Bernd Vogel. She was in the English section, and her family was in the Russian section. She told stories of her daring trips to visit them. Oh, the stories she could tell . . . crossing no-man’s land, and getting detained by Russian soldiers, hiding under a Red Cross train when under siege by the enemy. She was such a kind soul with so much strength.
Shortly after the end of the war she met Leland Cunningham, a young U. S. Army troop, on a blind date. Some would say, “that’s all she wrote.” Leland (Kenneth) became the love of her life, and they were married on January 29, 1949 in Germany and again later after Christine rejoined her husband at the airport in Des Moines, Iowa, with infant daughter Susanne in arms.
Chris and Ken had three more children—Ronald, Colin, and Tammy, raising all four in Des Moines and later in rural Elkhart. Through much of their life together, Chris worked at the makeup counter at Walgreens and enjoyed learning about the newest products and their application. She enjoyed crocheting and knitting. At age 95 she remained an avid user of her iPad. She loved to bake and cook the best meals for family and friends. She had a delicious secret potato salad recipe no one could replicate. She was an enthusiastic member of the German-American Club. Christine was very social and knew no strangers.
After losing her love, Ken, Christine moved into an independent living apartment at Prairie Vista in Altoona where she made friends, did crafts, and participated in chair Tai Chi. All the staff and health care professionals commented on how enjoyable it was to know Christine and how sweet she was. Friends have commented that she was the sweetest and kindest person ever. Christine frequently gave little gifts to her friends, caregivers, and family. She was always available to help anyone in need.
Christine passed away on January 7 at Lutheran Hospital. She was preceded in death by her parents, son Bernd Vogel, son Ronald Cunningham, and husband Kenneth. She leaves behind her children Susanne (Ron) Dean, Tammy Bruening, Colin (Jan) Cunningham, nine grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren.
A celebration of life is planned for the spring.
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