Katharina was born on July 7, 1843 in Russia. She was the daughter of Wilhelm and Wilhelmina (Reimche) Hoff.

Katharina married Conrad Johann Reiswig on November 8, 1860 in the Grunau Parish, Jekaterinoslov, Russia.

In the 1900 U. S. Census, Katharina reported that she had thirteen children. So far only twelve children have been identified.

The first child born in Russia, we have a record of, was John. He was born on February 25, 1962 in Neusatz Parish, Russia. The second child was Christian who was born on January 17, 1864 in Neusatz Parish, Russia. This Christian died on December 15, 1865. Next born was Christian Konrad who was born on January 25, 1866. George C. was born on January 25, 1868. Conrad C. was born on March 15, 1872. Charlotte, the first girl we have a record of, was born on January 20, 1873 in Krim, Russia. David, born on January 29, 1876, was also born in Krim, Russia.

The rest of Conrad and Katherina's children were born near Wittenberg, Hutchinson County, South Dakota. Elizabeth was born on December 9, 1877. Abraham was born in March of 1880, and died before 1885. Marie was born on October 15, 1882. Louise was born in about 1883. She died after the South Dakota 1885 Census. Their last child was also named Abraham and was born on August 15, 1887.

The photo of the store, on the right, was taken only a few months after Conrad's death. It is not known if Katherina, Christian's mother, commonly worked in Christian's store or if she was visiting and was asked to be in the photograph. The first photograph was taken in front of Fred & Marie Bentz's home in Harvey, ND. These two photographs are the only photographs we have of Katherina.

We do know that, by 1920, Katherina was living with Fred and Marie (Reiswig) Bentz in Harvey, North Dakota. Katherina was recorded twice in the 1920 U. S. Census. Once at Fred and Marie's home, and a second time at the home of George and Charlotte "Lottie" (Reiswig) Tebelius where she was visiting.

Ruth (Reiswig) Kelly visited her grandmother in Harvey, North Dakota at the home of Fred and Marie Bentz. Ruth tells that Fred & Marie had built a bedroom and a separate bathroom on the first floor of their home for her.
Both Katharina, Marie (Reiswig) Bentz's mother, and Maria Anna (Niess) Bentz, Fred Bentz's mother, lived with the Fred & Marie Bentz family in Harvey. Edna (Bentz) Mantz tells us that she took care of Grandma Bentz, and her sister, Luella (Bentz) Spencer, took care of Grandma Reiswig.

Edna (Bentz) Mantz recalls that her grandmother, Katherina, was an extraordinary seamstress. Edna has confirmed that Katharina is buried next to her husband Conrad Johann Reiswig in the Lincoln Valley Seventh-day Adventist Cemetery. At the time she was buried, no gravestone was placed for her grave.

No obituary for Katherina Maria (Hoff() Reiswig has yet been found. She died on July 16, 1923 in the home of Fred & Marie (Reiswig) Bentz in Harvey, North Dakota.

On July 14, 2006, a gravestone was placed for Katharina by her grandchildren, Edna (Bentz) Mantz and Ruth (Reiswig) Kelly, their families, and other descendants. The gravestone reads: "In loving memory, Katherina Reiswig, July 7, 1843 - July 16, 1923."