Estelle M. Natwick

Obituary

Estelle Marie Natwick was born May 27, 1925 to John Mauritz and Emma (Hedlin) Erickson in Garfield Township, Clay County, South Dakota. She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith at Dalesburg Lutheran Church, Clay County, South Dakota. Estelle attended Rockfield Country School through Grade 9, then attended Augustana Academy in Canton, South Dakota, graduating in 1944. After graduation, she attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, majoring in music with an emphasis on piano. While attending college, she met her husband, E. David “Dave” Natwick, also a student at Augustana. She graduated in May of 1948.

On June 16, 1948, Estelle married Dave Natwick. Together, they raised five children: Sheridan “Lee”, David, Kristen, Eric, and James. As a pastor, husband Dave’s work took the family to Centerville, South Dakota, Minneota, Minnesota, Palm Desert, California, and then to Hutchinson, Minnesota.

Estelle enjoyed being a housewife, piano teacher, church volunteer, and mother to her children. Estelle cherished spending time with family and watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up. She loved playing card games and enjoyed the competition. In every place she lived she formed life-long friendships.

Estelle and Dave had a shared passion for traveling. Over the years, they camped and explored the majority of our national parks. International travel included Europe, Israel, Australia, and New Zealand. After Dave passed away in 1997, Estelle continued to enjoy travel both here and abroad. Her niece, Janet, accompanied her on a trip to India and Nepal.

Estelle loved music (especially classical) and was passionate about her piano playing even when vision and age made it challenging. She loved birding, gardening, and nature. Estelle fondly remembered her roots: her childhood home, growing up on a farm in South Dakota, the country church to which she belonged, the country school she attended, and her years at Augustana Academy High School in Canton, South Dakota.

Estelle loved her church and her church family, who blessed her in so many ways. On her behalf, our family wishes to say “thank you”.

Estelle passed away on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at GlenFields Living with Care in Glencoe, Minnesota, at the age of 96 years.

Blessed be her memory.

Estelle is survived by her:
Children, David Natwick and his wife, Leslie of Port Aransas, TX,
Kristen Natwick and her husband, Hal Hougham of Anchorage, AK,
Eric Natwick of Tracy, MN,
James Natwick and his wife, Fern of Woodbury, MN;
Grandchildren, Camille Herder and her husband, Joseph, Matthew Burdett, Kaijah Hougham, Laura Werneke, Jameson Natwick and his wife, Melissa, Alexander Natwick, Bjorn Natwick and his wife, Tanya, Garth Natwick, Kaia Abrams and her husband, Adam;
Great-grandchildren, Joey, Sasha, Tristan, Sabrina, and Tyler Herder, Zayden Burdett, Harrison and Hannah Werneke, Eleanor Natwick;
Sisters-in-law, Lois Erickson, Delores Natwick, Jan Natwick;
Many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Estelle was preceded in death by her Husband, Dave; Son and daughter-in-law, Lee and Linnea Natwick;
Parents, John and Emma Erickson; Siblings and their spouses: Virginia (Donald) Anderson, Bessie (Erwin) Erickson, Maurice Erickson, Stanley (Lorraine) Erickson, Sheridan (Marilyn) Erickson; In-laws: John (Unis) Natwick, Clarice (Marvin) Wangsness, George (Martha) Natwick, Philip Natwick, and Paul Natwick.