“I am a Minister's wife” These were words that Natalie spoke unprompted one difficult night a few days before her imminent time of death. She fell asleep peacefully in Jesus, on Epiphany, 2:40 a.m. A damaging Receptive Aphasia stroke, December 12, 2023, and other major complications led to a medical body shut down. Following Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, she had her Good Shepherd Jesus always with her, and was very gratefully strengthened, and encouraged by God answering the prayers of so many. Difficult, but in a clear voice deep from within, she wanted this shared with you.
Spoken from her inner heart in loving dedication to the Christ, and the lifelong tasks given her, she served the Lord with gladness. Her confirmation verse in a Fear Not, context was “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.” Rev. 2:10
HE DID!

Thank heaven for July 11, 1936...”Thank heaven for 7/11,” and God's gift of Natalie. She was born in Herrin, Illinois, to John Herman Kuehner & Martha Alvina Johanna (Borchert) Kuehner; Baptized on August 14, 1936; Confirmed April 10, 1949, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Herrin, IL. She graduated from Herrin High School; and with a BA from School of the Art Institute & Branch of University of Chicago.

She taught 4th grade and the Art program of St. Paul Lutheran School, Mt. Prospect, IL, a year before her marriage to Rev. Arnold H. Walta,, Pastor at Herrin, and DuQuoin, IL. The marriage was held at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Carbondale, IL., September 13, 1959. Elizabeth (James) Lee was born, at Herrin, IL. Natalie was then called upon to teach 1st grade, for one year at nearby Trinity L.C., Faribault, MN., 3 of her children were born during a 11 year pastorate at Trinity Lutheran Church, Medford, MN. Brent Walta. Juliann (Terry) Winger. Kathryn (Mike) Turner. Stephanie (Mahan) Mirza, at Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Windom, MN.

Natalie was active in Senior Saints, Quilting Group, Women's Bible Study, Handbells, Choir, LWML, and Valparaiso Univ. Aux. She loved her family dearly. She was an avid reader. Natalie maintained sending many greeting cards of sympathy and joyous occasion, to church family, relatives and friends.

In 1977, her husband was called to Lutheran Church of the Cross, Kent, WA. That further led to the parish mothering a new daughter mission congregation, Peace Lutheran Church, Covington, WA. By the grace of God, Natalie was a burning and shinning light in Christ. She was Church Secretary in Kent, 11+ years.

A family flourishing of 9 grandsons grew, and since 1996 retirement one great grand daughter, Elayne Lee. Andrew (Kelly) Lee; Jonathan (Catrina) Lee; Stephen Lee; Timothy (Sierra) Lee; Benjamin Winger; Abdullah Mirza; Momin Mirza; Sami Mirza; Logan Turner.

Nieces/Nephews/Relatives: Valerie (Wally) Huey; Patsy Banker; Karen (Jim) Nighswander; Byron Kuehner; Linda Dawson; Lois Manett; Patricia Patzlaff
Deceased: Parents; Sisters - Naomi (Kuehner) Banker; Beulah Hendersen; Brother - Orville Kuehner, Nieces - Suzanne Payne; Debbie Fullerton; Nephew – Mark Banker
“To God be the glory, great things He hath done!”

Services will be held on Tuesday, January 16th at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Milton, WA. Viewing – 10:00 AM, Funeral Service – 11:00 AM, Reception – 12:00 PM,
Graveside service at Sumner City Cemetery – 2:00 PM.

Memorials may be directed to: Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Milton, WA or Concordia Christian Academy, Tacoma, WA.