Ellen Christine (Chris) Heilsberg, 83, lifetime area resident, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2015 at The Courtyard Assisted Living in Colfax. Friends may call and pay their respects at Bruning Funeral Home on December 21 & 22 from 9:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m. both days. A memorial service will be held at the Onecho Bible Church at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 27. A dessert reception will follow. Those who wish may join the family for a meal at the church from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. the day of the service. Christine will be laid to rest in a private family ceremony at the Colfax Cemetery.

Christine was born on October 8, 1932 to Elef & Marion (Christopherson) Filan at the family home in Hay, Washington. She grew up in Hay until her teenage years when her family moved to Colfax. She completed the remainder of her education in Colfax and graduated from Colfax High School.

Christine's brothers were friends with a young man named Don Heilsberg and, thinking that their sister would be a good match for him, introduced Don to Christine towards the end of her Senior year of high school. When Christine left Colfax to attend Puget Sound University, she and Don maintained a long-distance relationship until she returned home to Colfax after one semester of classes to marry Don on February 17, 1951.

After their marriage, the young couple settled on the farm in Wilcox area and welcomed three daughters to the family – Karen, Cathy & Cindy – before moving to Spokane. It was in Spokane that son Jim was born and after 10 years of city life, Don & Christine moved back to the farm where they resided for over 50 years. She and Don enjoyed spending time at the Filan cabin on Lake Pend Oreille near Bayview, Idaho and her children fondly remember the many summers spent there.

In addition to being a fabulous homemaker, Christine also embraced the title of "farm wife", cooking harvest meals, keeping the books and helping Don around the farm. She enjoyed quilting and sewing and enjoyed flower gardening. As the children graduated from college, she continued her own education took classes at WSU on jewelry making and other subjects. She was an avid reader and enjoyed reading fiction books of any type.. She enjoyed card playing and excelled at Bridge. She rose early every morning, cooked breakfast for the children and then drove school bus. She drove school bus for over 35 years until retiring at age 70. In their later years Don and Chris played rummy every morning prior to her leaving to drive bus.

She is survived by her children, Cindy (Mark) Lewis of Spokane; Cathy O'Rourke of Colfax and Jim (Sandy) Heilsberg of Colfax; grandchildren Stephanie (Michael) Smith, Jessica (Jeff) VanFredenberg; Matt (Lane) Lewis, Kristi Lewis, Nicole Heilsberg and Jacob (Katie) Heilsberg, as well as 8 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Evelyn Closson of Colfax.

Christine was preceded in death by her husband Don in 2003 and daughter Karen in 2012 as well as three brothers and one sister. Memorial contributions in Christine's honor are suggested to Union Gospel Mission or the charity of donors choice. Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.