Nathalie Doris Mitchell (Lunden), 91

Nathalie Doris Mitchell (Lunden), 91, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, passed away peacefully Feb. 12, 2016, at The Garden at Orchard Ridge in Coeur d’Alene from severe debility and breast cancer. She was born April 28, 1924, to Edward and Lila Lunden in Brandt, S.D.

Nathalie graduated from Brandt High School in 1944. That summer, she met her future husband, Frederic E. Mitchell Sr. at the bus station in Sioux Falls, S.D., while she waited for a boyfriend who never showed up. Fred had recently returned to the states after serving with the 452nd Air Bomb Group stationed in England during World War II. A short courtship ensued. Nathalie accepted Fred’s marriage proposal and agreed to become an officer’s wife while Fred continued his 21-year military career with the USAF. They were married Nov. 30, 1945, in Walla Walla, Wash.

Nathalie and Fred moved 15 times adding three sons, David, Fred Jr. and Eddie, along the way at three different Air Force bases. Nathalie enjoyed being stationed at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines where she had a maid to do the cooking and the cleaning while she cared for her sons. After Fred retired in 1963, he earned a teaching certificate and moved the family to Coeur d’Alene to teach mathematics. Nathalie and Fred lived in their Fernan Village home for 25 years and then moved to Lake Tower Apartments for another 25 years, maintaining a Christian home, the fabric of her family, until their health declined in 2014.

Nathalie was active with many church activities that included teaching Sunday School, Bible studies, making crafts, quilting, creating baptismal banners as well as leading or participating in fellowship and luncheons, hot cup of coffee in hand, with the women of the church. She will always be known for her famous hand-beaded Christmas ornaments she made through the years for family, friends and church bazaars. She bowled on the 3Cs Cancer League and ministered to the needs of the elderly at Coeur d’Alene Homes. She was a lifelong Lutheran and charter member of Peace Lutheran Church at the time of her death.

Nathalie was always on the go. She loved socializing and shopping. She enjoyed traveling abroad or visiting friends and relatives with annual road trips across the states, shopping along the way. She became a grandmother in 1982 and cherished and doted on her grandsons, Jeffrey, Jeremy, Christopher and Fred III. She will always be remembered for baking a Waldorf Astoria recipe red velvet cake every Christmas for Jesus’ birthday, singing “Happy Birthday Jesus” and having her grandsons take turns blowing out the candle.

Nathalie is survived by her husband of 70 years, Frederic E. Mitchell Sr. of Coeur d’Alene, Edward and Cindy Mitchell of Coeur d’Alene, David and Charlene Mitchell of Memphis, Tenn., Frederic Jr. and Mary Mitchell of Fuquay-Varina, N.C.; a sister, Rosella Naeve of Milbank, S.D.; brother Roy Lunden of Sioux Falls; grandsons; nieces Judy Naeve Wolff and Lynnita Naeve Schmidt; nephews Clayton Naeve, Jim Naeve and Roger Naeve.

Nathalie was preceded in death by her parents and sister Freda Lunden.

A funeral service was held Feb. 16, 2016, at Peace Lutheran Church in Post Falls, Idaho, Pastor Kurt Wandrey officiated. Burial took place at the Washington Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Medical Lake, Wash., on Feb. 18, 2016.

The family wishes to express special thanks to Pastor Wandrey, Dana, Connie and Caren for their extra care and compassion during this time.

The family suggests memorial donations to Peace Lutheran Church in Post Falls, Hospice of North Idaho or The Garden at Orchard Ridge.