Dolores was born to the late Richard Natelborg and Sadie (Meyer) Natelborg on August 23, 1933 (Chicago). After graduating from high school, she worked as a secretary at Ford until her marriage to John and the birth of their children. John served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954 as a Corporal in the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged on April 30, 1954, marrying Dolores just a few days later, on May 7, 1954.
Dolores was known in her youth as a fierce softball player. She loved the game. In later years, she became a huge Chicago Bulls fan, and especially a fan of Michael Jordan! She had her picture taken in front of his statue at the United Center in Chicago. In her early marriage, she was active at First Reformed Church in Roseland, teaching Vacation Bible School, helping decorate the church for Christmas, and singing duets with John’s best friend Henry (Hank) Dokter. They had a group of friends from that church who they hung out with throughout life called “The Gang”, and Dolores’ children have fond memories of fancy holiday Progressive Dinners the Gang held, as well as picnics and baseball games with their families. Dolores continued to be active in church life each place they moved. Some of the places she and John lived are Roseland, South Holland, and Homewood, IL; Hammond, IN; Petoskey, Holland, and Ludington, MI. And finally, in Baldwin, MI.
Dolores was devoted to her marriage, her family and their many friends. Throughout her life was a strong commitment to growing in her faith in Jesus Christ. A dear friend wrote the following to Dolores’ sister in memory of her: “She and John were invaluable Christlike examples to you and me, weren’t they?! Only God knows the breadth and the depth of their powerful influence in my life. I thank God with every thought of them. ”
When the Billy Graham Crusade came to Chicago, Dolores was one of the counselors who helped lead others to Christ at the end of each service, and she sang in the mass choir each night. She sang in any choir that performed The Messiah and loved going downtown with the cousins to Orchestra Hall to sing in the Do-It-Yourself Messiah. She tried to attend Moody Founders Week events each February, as much as possible, to hear the speakers live and enjoy singing the hymns along with the audience and the grand pipe organ. Music was a joy to her.
Dolores was president of the PTA at her children’s school and helped facilitate the various activities in which the five children were involved. She took pride in being a homemaker, cooking a good meal, caring for their home, and opening it to hospitality for many. As the children grew older, Dolores went back to work and was a secretary at Deloitte and Touche in Chicago.
Dolores and John were leaders in Christian Marriage Encounter, a ministry to mentor couples in how to keep their marriages alive and Christ-centered. She also mentored many young people and encouraged them in their lives and their faith. She looked forward to being with her cousins and siblings throughout her whole life, and for as long as they could, they all got together each year to play cards, gab, and, of course, eat good food.
Dolores loved to travel and loved dining out. She wanted to enjoy the world around her and took great joy in adventures. John made it his mission to provide for and make those special moments happen for her and their family. Several of Dolores’ children helped give the trip and adventure of a lifetime for her and John to go to Indonesia, a highlight in her life. In retirement, Dolores, John, Cousin Laverne, and Harold enjoyed camping trips together. Laverne was not only a close cousin but a dear friend, and to the end of Mom’s life, she called her every week. Laverne was one of the few people Dolores remembered to the end. She had many faithful people in her life. Her family is so grateful for the Corewell Health Hospice team who cared so lovingly for her, calling her their “treasure,” and to The Grand Oaks Nursing Center staff in Baldwin, MI, who faithfully served her needs. Words cannot express what they all meant to us.
Our family is grateful for her life and expresses gratitude to God and the many special friends – angels along life’s path who loved Mom so well, including her children in that love. May she rest in peace. A private burial will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Beloved wife of John Medema for 62 years, she is survived by her sister Karen (Pete) Dannevik, as well as her five children: Diane (George) Huisman; Janet (Ed) Kotynski; Paul (Betty) Medema; Daniel (Ann) Medema; and Connie (Julio) Huizenga. Dolores was blessed to be Grandma to Wendi (John) Kitsteiner and Keith (Adrienne) Huisman; Cara (Brian) Hurley and Eddie (Hannah) Kotynski; Hope Medema; Faye and Dolores (Dee) Medema; Casey and Colin (Jodi) Huizenga.
Dolores was preceded in death by: her parents, Richard and Sadie Natelborg, and her husband, John, her granddaughter, Faye Medema, and her brother, Ronald Natelborg. Dolores was also a proud Aunt and Great Grandma; it brought Delores great joy when her family gathered together. Dolores would often listen to the uplifting music of Gaither voices, and she especially loved the music about heaven; one of her favorites was: I’ve Got a Mansion just Over the Hilltop.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Isaiah 117 House in Greeneville TN. They provide physical and emotional support in a safe and loving home for children awaiting a safe home to live. (isaiah117house.com)
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