Obituaries

November 7, 1922 to June 4, 2020

FRANCESVILLE - Natalie Marie Gudeman, 97, of Fort Myers, FL (formerly of Elgin, IL) passed away peacefully at 5:15 a.m., Thursday, June 4, at the Pavilion Memory Care unit at Shell Point Village in Fort Myers, where she had resided for more than 20 years as an independent resident and in assisted living.

She was born Nov. 7, 1922, in Francesville, to the late Joseph B. and Huldah Getz Gudeman of Medaryville.  After graduating from high school, she worked at the VonTobel Lumber Company. She attended both Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and Wheaton Bible College in Wheaton, IL. 

She is survived by:
LeRoy (Kay) Gudeman, Brother
Many nieces and nephews 
Many great-nieces and great-nephews

Preceded in death by:
Marion (Bertha) Gudeman, Brother
Marjean (Willis) Wuethrich, Sister 

 After moving to Elgin, IL, Ms. Gudeman worked for Scripture Press in Glen Ellyn, and gained much knowledge in Bible literature. She also worked for the David C. Cook Publishing Company in Elgin. Later, she taught elementary school in Elgin. She had a great passion and a positive influence in the lives of many children before retiring. She served homemade Thanksgiving dinners to her class every year, and decorating the classroom was one of her many special talents. In her everyday life, she was always teaching. Manners and grammar were of utmost importance to her, as her nieces and nephews can well remember. She and her longtime friend, Irene Guth, loved traveling the world extensively, visiting many countries and missionaries along the way.

Ms. Gudeman also spent many Sunday afternoons passing out gospel tracts at O’Hare International Airport, or to anyone she wanted to share her love for the Lord. She had a special way to turn her conversations toward Jesus Christ (John 3:16), and wanted others to know Christ, bringing glory to God.  She is remembered as always having a witty sense of humor, always a jokester making others laugh. She had a love for reading with an open mind to learning. Many enjoyed her eloquent speaking and her lovely clothes and style. She loved music and enjoyed singing and playing her favorites, the organ and accordion.  She attended Wheaton Bible Church, and was a faithful servant of God. She sang in the church choirs and served on many church committees, always willing to lend a helping hand. She had a heart for people; she was generous and enjoyed entertaining in her home. She supported missionaries, and graciously opened up her home to them. She will always be loved and remembered for her kind and caring heart and being “always grateful” to God.

A graveside service and interment will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, June 20, at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville, with Pastor Dennis Gutwein officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Navigators International Ministry of Jim and Karen Getz. To give online, go to: navstaff.org/give/79665. Or, checks payable to The Navigators with a note for the ministry of Jim and Karen Getz (79665) may be mailed to: The Navigators, PO Box 6079, Albert Lea, MN 56007

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville.