Natalie Kay Blumenthal, a truly remarkable woman, was born on April 2, 1945 in Humboldt, Tennessee. She was the daughter of Russell Woodrow Johnson Sr.  and Dorothy Aikens Johnson and died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family on July 3, 2024.

Natalie was a Minnesota girl at her core, having been brought up in Hutchinson (during the school year) and Green Lake/Spicer (during the summer). Her upbringing instilled in her a kind heart, strong sense of grace, an appreciation for family, community, long-term friendships, and a strong work ethic.

She graduated from the University of Minnesota and went on to teach Home Economics for 18 years in Dundee, Illinois and Denver Public Schools. However her true joy was as a homemaker, where she was the driving force behind her family's wonderful life in Colorado.  Natalie was a nurturer and kind person, even in her final days and truly a selfless soul.  Always surrounded by friends, she seamlessly blended her cooking and gardening skills with her generous spirit whether as a member of Crestmoor Garden Club, her church, her women's bible study group, or her involvement in her daughters' schools. She traveled worldwide creating lifelong cherished memories.

She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Jack Blumenthal, and their two daughters Elizabeth (Matt) Jessell, Seal Beach, California, and Sara (Ed) Cotter, Denver, Colorado.  She adored her five grandchildren Madeline Jessell (8), Teddy Cotter (7), Jack Jessell (5), Claire Cotter (4), and Henry Cotter (1).  She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Elizabeth Orlady-Johnson.

We were all blessed by her warmth, wisdom and kindness.  Her spirit will always remain in our hearts.

A celebration of life will be held on Monday August 5, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Church of the Ascension 600 Gilpin St., Denver, CO 80218.  The family would like to thank everyone for their extraordinary love and support during the past four plus years and ask that memorial in her memory be made to the Neuro-Oncology Department at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center , University of Colorado Foundation P.O. Box 17126, Denver, CO 80217.