Kristi Schellinger, 55

On Tuesday, May 11, 2010, at 1:30 am, Kristi s two sons passed her from their arms into the awaiting arms of angels. A wonderful mother, sister, daughter and friend to all who knew her, Kristi spent her last days in the adoring presence of her boys who were the brightest light in her life. Kristi was born in Glasgow on March 4, 1955, to Cliff and Polly Schellinger. She graduated from Whitefish High School in 1973. She worked as a secretary and real estate agent until Huntington s disease made work too difficult. Kristi will be remembered as a beautiful and compassionate woman with a magnetic child-like spirit. Her nieces and nephews fondly remember sleepovers at fun aunt Kristi s where teeth didn t have to be brushed and dessert was served for breakfast. Her strawberry-pretzel-whipped cream salad counted as a fruit group and if you didn t want to take a bath, well that was fine too. And while she showered her nieces and nephews with love and attention, no one held a softer spot in her heart than her two sons, Dustin and Jesse. From the time they were born she cared for them as if they were the most precious gift, and even when those roles reversed as her illness set in and they cared for her, nothing could put a smile on her face like they could. Kristi was preceded in death by her mother, Polly, and nephew, Brett. She is survived by her sons, Dustin and Jesse, of Whitefish; father, Cliff, and Vernell Schellinger, of Eltopia, Wash.; sister, Shelley, and Pat Dolan, of Billings; and brothers, Al and Sandy, and Randy and Kathy Schellinger, both of Whitefish. She leaves behind two nieces and four nephews; many aunts, uncles, and cousins; and dearest friend, Donna Morris, who was by her side caring for her until the end. Kristi will be missed by all who knew and loved her, but we can find peace knowing that she is finally free from her broken earthly body and free from pain and disease. Although we are not ready to let her go, we are comforted knowing that she is finally at rest. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Austin Funeral Home is assisting the family. Donations can be made to the Huntington Disease Foundation, 3960 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10032.