Gertrude Ellen Van Natter (Pagosa Springs, Colo.), passed away peacefully in her sleep on Aug. 24, 2024. Gertrude (Gertie) was born May 13, 1933, at Mary H. Donaldson’s Woman’s Hospital in Denver, Colo. Her parents were Ray E. Olson and Gertrude C. (Dawson) Olson. She had two brothers who are both deceased, Ray (Sonny) and Charles (Charley). Gertie’s parents owned Ray’s Food Market, located at 26th and Irving in north Denver. She and her brothers assisted their parents with operating the grocery store while they were growing up. In 1951, Gertie graduated from North High School (the same high school that her mother graduated from in 1923).
Gertie and James (Jim) were married at St. Dominic’s Catholic Parish Feb. 6, 1955. They were married 46 years until Jim’s passing Feb. 27, 2001. They are survived by their six children: James (Jim) — Pagosa Springs, Colo.; Dana — Colorado Springs; Kathy — Pagosa Springs, Colo.; Jayne — Naples, Fla.; Lisa — Melbourne, Fla.; and Robert (Bob) — Brainerd, Minn. Gertie has 20 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.
Gertie was community-oriented and volunteered whenever and wherever she could, including Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods Park and many other places. After her husband, Jim, passed away, she went back to school at age 68 and obtained her real estate license and began selling real estate. She was also a world traveler and went on many trips throughout the world with grandchildren and frequently with her childhood friends who she maintained friendships with for a lifetime.
She was strikingly beautiful, pretty face, blue eyes, bob hair style and she frequently wore her trademark fedora hat. Gertie had an easy laugh, self-deprecating sense of humor, was kind and sweet hearted, and her inward beauty radiated outward to all who knew her.
Gertie was buried next to her husband at Eastonville Cemetery in Black Forest, Colo., on Aug. 30. As per her wishes, there was a family graveside service and a reception following.
