Evelyn B. Ensley, lifelong Colfax resident, (until Melvin passed away and daughters moved her to be close to them in Bothell, WA) passed away Monday, November 3rd, at 11:40 pm at Aegis Assisted Home at the age of 96. Friends may pay their respects at Bruning Funeral Home from 1:00-4:00 pm Friday November 14 and from 11:00am- 2:00 pm on Saturday November 15. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 15th, at the First Baptist Church in Colfax. Vault interment at the Colfax Cemetery will precede the service at 3:00 p.m.

Evelyn was born to Edward and Selma (Manteuffel) Krueger at the family farm home near Wilcox on Easter morning, March 31, 1918. The family moved to Colfax when she was nine where she attended Hamilton Grade School and Colfax High School. After graduating in 1935, she attended Kelsey-Baird Secretarial School in Spokane. She worked at the Whitman County Courthouse and as clerk of the Selective Service Board during WWII.

She was to married Melvin A. Ensley December 21, 1938 at the Onecho Church. They made their home in Colfax. In 1946, they moved from Colfax to Onecho where they farmed. In 1955, President Eisenhower appointed Melvin as the Washington State Director of the ASCS at which time the family moved to Spokane. They returned to Colfax in 1965 and continued to farm until retiring.

Evelyn belonged to the First Baptist Church where she served as President of Friendship Circle, Church Clerk, Sunday School teacher, President of the Ladies' Union, and as a deaconess and hostess. She was also a pianist for many years in both Colfax and Spokane churches.

Evelyn and Melvin were among the first residents of Hill-Ray after it was completed. They enjoyed retirement there for 20 years. After Melvin's death in 2006, Evelyn moved to AEGIS Assisted Living in Bothell, WA to live near her daughters, Jan and Connie.

She is survived by three daughters, Jan and Jim Rettig of Woodinville, Connie and Guy Pace of Bothell, and Carol and Greg Gieck of Beiseker, Alberta Canada. Evelyn also leaves nine grandchildren, Kevin, Jeff, and Kym Rettig, Chad, Lori, and Loni, Eastep, Mark, Lorn, and Corey Gieck and ten great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Marge Hill of Spokane and Mildred Cocking of Colfax, her brother, Darrel Krueger of Tacoma, and many other relatives and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin, her sister Lois Abegglen and her brother Paul Krueger. Memorial contributions in Evelyn's honor are suggested to the First Baptist Church of Colfax or to the Union Gospel Mission in Spokane.

Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.