"Russ: So sorry to hear of the loss of your wife. My thoughts & prayers are with you, your children, and you entire family. Bobbi Bassett, Knoxville, IA "
In loving memory of
Lori Carol Natelborg
October 14, 1969 - March 13, 2020
Lori Carol Natelborg passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, March 13, 2020 after a 21-month battle with a brain tumor. She was surrounded by a number of precious family members.
Lori was born in Waterloo, Iowa; the eighth and youngest child of Herbert and Marjorie Mulder (Primus). She attended Parkersburg schools, and went on to receive her degree in Elementary Education in 1992 from Dordt University. She obtained a cosmetology license and began working for Reflections Hair Design in Pella before she obtained her teaching positions. Lori worked for Newton Christian School for 1 year and Des Moines Christian School for 2 years before having the privilege of being able to be a full-time mom to her three children. Lori began a business at home, and also worked at church as a custodian in order to be able to stay home with the children; they never had to spend a minute in day care and got their mom 100% of the time. When the kids were in school, she began substitute teaching. Lori was set to begin teaching kindergarten in August 2018 at Pella Christian Grade School, but due to being diagnosed with a brain tumor, never began this job.
Lori's first love was her family and caring for them. Lori married Russ Natelborg on December 30, 1995. They were married for 24 years and she loved being his wife. She was the best wife to Russ every day. Lori and Russ had three children, Ellie Jonna Natelborg, age 19, Ethan Michael Natelborg, age 17, and Isaac Benjamin Natelborg, age 15. She loved and cherished every second of being their mom and taking care of their needs. She loved them with her whole heart. Ellie, a Freshman at Northwestern College, was her joy and delight. She loved her dearly and talked often of how special her one daughter was to her. Her son Ethan, fun-loving, social and hilarious, was her cherished son who she loved to love. Isaac, quiet and strong, was recognized as being a gift from God, which is why she named him Isaac, meaning laughter.
Lori loved family and friends, and spending time with them, above doing anything else. Lori was not very good at fighting with any of the people in her life, because the truth is, she didn't know how. She did not understand how people had so much conflict in their lives, because for her it was so easy. She was the best at relationships, and loving and caring for the people around her. She loved to decorate, organize, plan, cook great meals, and take care of people. She was always willing to try new things: she played softball, kayaked, hiked in Colorado, and even tried hunting because her husband wanted her to come along. She attended sporting events with her kids and especially loved football games. Lori had a knack for always catching the T-shirts or mini footballs that are thrown to the crowd after a touchdown.
Lori was much more than the "typical" things that are normally written in an obituary. She was a loving mother. She wanted only to be number one to her kids, for them to see her spiritual walk and to hopefully be the example they could follow. Lori was not the typical friend. If you were her friend, you knew she was the best. Lori never missed an opportunity to crack a joke or impress her friends and family with her witty humor. Lori was not the typical teacher. If you had her, you knew you were loved. Lori was not the typical anything. She was the best mom, best wife, best friend that there was.
Lori is survived by her husband Russ and their 3 children previously mentioned. Siblings: Doug Mulder of Wisconsin; Milt (Carol) Mulder and their son John of Cherryville, IN; Donna (Rienco) De Jong of Goleta, CA, and their children Amanda (Neil) Munroe and children Levi and Isaac of Seattle, WA; Robin Rosenquist of Albuquerque, NM and Martin (Becca) De Jong of Muskegon, MI; Sue (Mike) Halma of Sioux Center, IA; Brenda (Duane) Brandhof of Mitchellville, IA; John (Rebecca) Mulder and children Claire, Cai and Leah of Hermantown, MN; Brother Phil (Fran) Mulder and children Haley, Cassidy, Lucy and Jack of Redlands, California.
Lori is also survived by her parents-in-law Ken and Sharon Natelborg, sister-in-law Mary (Lyle) Van Ravensway and their four children, Erin (Tayler) Hoekstra and Savannah; Jenna (Brad) Potjer, Jon Van Ravenswaay and Levi Van Ravenswaay; brother-in-law Tim (Sonya) Natelborg and their three children, Brett, Kayla and Ryan. Lori also has countless cousins, aunts, and uncles left to cherish her memory.
Lori was preceded in death by her parents Herbert and Marjorie Mulder.
In her final 21 months, Lori was sustained by the prayers, love, compassion, grace and good works of so many people. She wrote special Bible verses even when she could no longer see or completely comprehend them. She prayed the most wonderful prayers, even with her mind failing. She even believed in the final days that she had cooked for her family and she couldn't wait for them to eat together at night.
Lori was the most unassuming, caring, kind, compassionate, godly and graceful wife, mother, friend, sister and teacher. She never once felt sad for herself; she only felt sad that she would not get to finish the job of raising her children. We all love her and will miss her dearly.
A celebration of Life for Lori, will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 10:30 am at the Prairie City Christian Reformed Church.
Tributes
"I'm so sorry to hear of Lori's death. I knew Sharon & the Natelborg family for many years when I lived north of them in Prairie City before moving to Pella 5 years ago. I first met Lori when I called her to substitute teach at PC Elem. School. She was a very special person. I'm praying that all of you will find peace knowing that Lori is out of pain & in heaven now. My thoughts & prayers are with all of you. Eleanor Sturtz "
"My thoughts and prayers are with you all. My heart is breaking for you all. I will never forget Lori, she taught me when I was a kid at GEMS (girls everywhere meet the savior). She had a light that truly shined from her. Full of love, kindness & joy. I never got a chance to know her when I was an adult but I always felt that way when I was with her as a child and saw her around town. The words you wrote about her are truly perfect, I'm so happy that she was able to have 3 babies who are part of her and can help spread her light to this world! I am sending you all love that you may find peace and comfort through your journey. "
"Russ and family, I knew Lori at Dordt. We spent several summers cleaning classrooms together. She made a boring job a lot of fun....singing into the vacuum hose or a dust rag. We spent many hours cleaning the "new" science building. I do believe she could sing every word to "We Didn't Start the Fire" by Billy Joel. When I heard that song the other day, her face popped into my mind. I appreciated her fun, loving heart. I've seen her only a couple times since college. She didn't change much -- still was a lot of fun. My sympathy to you. I'm sure she will be dearly missed. Juli Veldhuizen (Gesink)"
"Russ, my heart is breaking for your family. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Staci Sanders"
"I am so very sorry for your family's great loss. We saw Ken at Mercy Hospital on July 11, 2018 and he told us Lori was there and had just been diagnosed with a brain tumor. From that day forward, I continued praying for her and the whole family. Even though I never met Lori, I felt I got to know her through Russ's faithful Caring Bridge posts. Our daughter, Angie, attended the P.C. Christian School from the fall of 1985 to the spring of 1988, when we moved to Des Moines. The Natelborg family has always been near and dear to my heart and my fervent prayers will continue for all of you in the days ahead, for peace, comfort, hope, and rest in the Lord's arms. In Christ's Love, Diane Zimmerman"