Christine Ann Heidenreich, 68, of Columbia, passed away Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at Boone Hospital. A visitation will be held Wednesday, April 14, 2021 from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm followed by a funeral service at 3:00 pm, both at Missouri United Methodist Church, Columbia. Facemasks and social distancing are expected for the safety of all. A graveside service will be held Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 11:00 am at Lake Charles Park Cemetery, St. Louis.

Christine was born to Jerald A. Fortner and Nancy R. (Hoy) Fortner on November 14, 1952 in St. Louis, Missouri. She grew up in St. Louis and graduated from Normandy High School and earned her Registered Nursing Degree from Missouri Baptist Hospital. She was the Head Nurse of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Cardinal Glennon Memorial Hospital for Children in St. Louis, and has the distinction of becoming one of the first Neonatal Flight Nurses in St. Louis. Upon moving to Columbia, she was employed as the Head Nurse of the Newborn Nursery, Level II Nursery, and Pediatrics at Boone Hospital. She was a member of Missouri United Methodist Church and went on a mission trip to Nicaragua. Christine was a dedicated volunteer at Habitat for Humanity and in the gift shop at University Hospital. She enjoyed collecting antiques, creating art, crafting, reading, and bird watching. She also enjoyed sending and receiving beautiful flowers. While she was proud of her career as a pediatric nurse, she was even more proud of her role as mother and grandmother.

Christine is survived by her children, Jeffrey(Sophie) Heidenreich of Ashland, and Amy (Jeff) Grus of Columbia; five grandchildren, Jillian, Emmeline, Allison, Oliver, and Porter; her father’s wife, Elaine Fortner of St. Louis; and step children, Kristen Trainor and Shelly Halphin. She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Victoria; and her “Gram”, Ruth Hoy.