Natalie Marie Gudeman, 97, of Fort Myers, FL (formerly of Elgin, IL) went home to be with her Lord on Thursday, June 4, 2020, at 5:15 AM. She passed away peacefully in the Pavilion Memory Care unit at Shell Point Village in Fort Myers, where she had resided for more than 20 years as an independent resident and in assisted living.
Natalie was born on November 7, 1922, in Francesville, IN, to the late Joseph B. and Huldah (Getz) Gudeman of Medaryville, IN. After graduating from High School, she worked at the VonTobel Lumber Company. She attended both Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and Wheaton Bible College in Wheaton, IL. After moving to Elgin, IL, Natalie worked for Scripture Press in Glen Ellyn, and gained much knowledge in Bible literature. She also worked for the David C. Cook Publishing Company in Elgin.
Later, Natalie taught elementary school in Elgin. She had a great passion and a positive influence in the lives of many children before retiring. She served homemade Thanksgiving dinners to her class every year, and decorating the classroom was one of her many special talents. In her everyday life, she was always teaching. Manners and grammar were of utmost importance to her, as her nieces and nephews can remember well.
Natalie and her longtime friend, Irene Guth, loved traveling the world extensively, visiting many countries and missionaries along the way. She also spent many Sunday afternoons passing out gospel tracts at O’Hare International Airport, or to anyone she wanted to share her love for the Lord. Natalie had a special way to turn her conversations toward Jesus Christ (John 3:16), and wanted others to know Christ, bringing Glory to God. She is remembered as always having such a witty sense of humor, always a jokester making others laugh. She had a love for reading with an open mind to learning. Many enjoyed her eloquent speaking and her lovely clothes and style. Natalie loved music and enjoyed singing and playing her favorites, the organ and accordion. She attended Wheaton Bible Church, and was a faithful servant of God. She sang in the church choirs and served on many church committees, always willing to lend a helping hand. Natalie had a heart for people; she was generous and enjoyed entertaining in her home. She supported missionaries, and graciously opened up her home to them. She will always be loved and remembered for her kind and caring heart and being “always grateful” to God.
She is survived by:
LeRoy (Kay) Gudeman, Brother
Many nieces and nephews
Many great nieces and nephews
Preceded in death by:
Joseph and Huldah (Getz) Gudeman, Parents
Marion (Bertha) Gudeman, Brother
Marjean (Willis) Wuethrich, Sister
Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville, IN.
Interment and graveside services will be held at 1 PM EDT Saturday, June 20th, 2020 at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville, IN with Pastor Dennis Gutwein officiating.
