Don R. Van Natter, 75

Don R. Van Natter, 75, passed away in Sandpoint, Idaho on Aug. 21, 2004.

Friends may call at Coffelt's Moon Chapel on Tuesday, Aug. 24 from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m.

Funeral services will be conducted at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 25, in Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1900 West Pine Street in Sandpoint. Pastor Steve Nickodemus will officiate, burial will be in Pinecrest Memorial Park.

Don was born in Kalamazoo, Mich. on Nov. 20, 1928 the son of Charles and Hannah Van Natter. He moved to California and was a graduate of San Dieguito High School in Encinitas, Calif. and Oceanside Carlsbad College, Oceanside, Calif. He also graduated from the University of Omaha, Omaha, N.E. in 1962 with a BGE.

He joined the U.S. Air Force, as a weather observer, in July 1947 as a private and retired from the U.S. Air Force as a weather forecaster in Aug. of 1968 as a Major. During his career in the Air Force, Don served in Texas, Oklahoma, California, Guam, Iwo Jima, Illinois, Massachusetts, Georgia, England, North Dakota, Thailand, Montana and Washington.

Don married Marjorie Hollister on Nov. 27, 1954 in Springfield, Mass. After leaving the Air Force, Don worked for 15 years for United Air Lines as a weather forecaster and reservation agent, retiring in 1984. In 1964, Don and his family built a vacation home in Talache, near Sandpoint, which the family used for several years. After retiring from United Air Lines, Don and Marge moved back to Sandpoint.

He was a member of Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, in Sandpoint, where he served as Elder. He was a former member of the Gideons and served on the Syringa Heights Water Board. He enjoyed reading, gardening, listening to people, sharing stories and jokes. Don loved sharing his Christian Faith with those he came in contact with.

Don is survived by his wife Marge Van Natter; two sons, Douglas (and Martha) Van Natter of Birmingham, Ala., and David Van Natter of Priest River; two grandchildren, Silas and Camilla Van Natter of Priest River; two sisters, June Stoner of Mich. and Shirley New of Calif.; brother, Charles Van Natter of Calif.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials may be made to Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Building Fund, 1900 W. Pine Street, Sandpoint, Id. 83864.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.