The following obituary for Juda Litwinenco was found in a scrapbook put together by his daughter Elvina. It was written by family friend, Elder Melashenko. It was likely written for an Adventist publication. Mispellings were left as is.
Elder Juda Andrew Litivinenco was born June 18, 1862 in Odessa, Russia and passed away April 22, 1951, at Herreid, South Dakota. In 1888 he left his native country and came to the United States where he settled on a homestead in Campbell County, South Dakota. He entered the ministry in 1903 and was one of the pioneer workers in the Russian and German communities. He was instrumental in organizing a goodly number of churches in North Dakota. He labored untiringly and faithfully in his work and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. In 1938 he moved to the vicinity of Max, North Dakota, and then to Max where he spent his last two years. He became ill and was taken to his home place in Herreid, South Dakota, where he passed away. It can be said of Elder Litivinenco that he had fought a good fight, had kept the faith, and had finished his course. He died with the blessed hope in the glorious resurrection of the just when all the faithful will receive their reward. He is survived by his present wife, Emma Zahare Litivinenco of Max; an older daughter, Mary Swanson of Portland, Oregon, born to his first wife; eight of the twelve children born to his second wife, Marie Nesterencko: Irene Bates of Overton, Nebraska; Chrystine Carner of Lincoln, Nebraska; Elizabeth Herrmann of Denver, Colorado; Dr. John Litivinenco of Pamona, California; Elvina Tolstetdt of Herreid, South Dakota; Kathrene Harvey of Omaha, Nebraska; Lulu McCully of Washington, D.C.; and Maybelle Edwards of Lincoln, Nebraska; 15 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. Funeral services were held from the Baptist Church in Herreid, South Dakota, by the writer, with R.M. Hillier of Minot assisting. Interment was in the family burial lot at Herreid, South Dakota.
George Melashenko