On January 9, 2025, with her husband by her side, holding her hand, and singing her into heaven, our Heavenly Father wrapped Florence (Flo) Irene Natzke in His loving embrace and called her home.

In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may also be. John 14: 3-4

Flo was born on September 27, 1939 to Berthold and Ella (Ohlmann) Gruhn in Poole, Nebraska, and was baptized into the Christian faith on the 6th of October. She attended country school in Nebraska and Iowa and confirmed her faith on the 29th of March, 1953 in Hampton, Iowa. She started her high school years in Buffalo Center, Iowa, and graduated from Ravenna High School in Ravenna, Nebraska. Flo married LaVerne Barnes in 1958, and three sons came from this union: Dale Barnes, Kerry (Cherese) Barnes, and Roy Barnes. Being a mom to these boys brought Flo great joy.

Widowed at a young age, Flo went to work for Rich Bringleman Insurance in Nebraska before being encouraged through pastoral care to move to Wisconsin to attend the Lay Ministry program at Concordia College in Milwaukee. While studying there, she worked with Royal Natzke, Tim Maschke and John Baubel as a secretary. God gave Flo a second chance at love when she met fellow lay ministry student Bob Natzke; they were married by Pastor Maschke in December of 1986. Side by side, the couple served at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fairfield, California, at Concordia Lutheran Church in Miami, Florida, and at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Green Bay, Wisconsin, he as a parish administrator and she as a church secretary.

After ministering in the churches, Bob and Flo were called to extend God's kingdom through the Laborers for Christ building program, serving numerous congregations, supporting their outreach, and helping to energize the people wherever they went. Flo had the kindest of servant hearts and thrived on being Bob's right hand in all of their projects; together was their favorite place to be. She enjoyed worshiping in church, singing in the choir, being a part of the Ladies Aid, attending Bible study, visiting shut-ins, knitting, tending her flowers, playing cards, volunteering at Bethesda Resale, belonging to the Red Hat Society, and visiting with family and friends. She also loved cheering on her Nebraska Cornhuskers in football and volleyball, especially when they played the Wisconsin Badgers.

Flo is survived by her husband, Bob Natzke, his seven siblings and their spouses, her brother Virgil, their blended family of seven adult children, and their twelve grandchildren: Christopher (Alexis), Kasey, Kayle (Alex) and Cody (Kayla) Barnes, Kristin and Kyle Natzke, Danielle DeTennis, Kaitlyn (Gary) Adams, Jacob (Victoria) and Joshua (Ariana) Gruener, Tanner (Callie) Natzke and Taylor (Brock) Hilton, along with five great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by LaVerne Barnes, her parents, three siblings, Lavonne, Lois, and Roger, Bob's parents, and Bob's youngest son, Mark Natzke.

Officiated by Kyle Wangelin and Dr. Maschke, the funeral service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Wayside, Wisconsin, on January 18, 2025 at noon, with a visitation from 10:00 am until 12:00. Lunch will be served following worship. Her final resting place will be in Lexington, Nebraska.

The family extends profound gratitude to the compassionate caregivers at Unity Hospice as well as to the Zion Lutheran church family, pastors, and community friends for their expressions of comfort and acts of kindness and love during this bittersweet time. Memorial donations can be made to Orphan Grain Train in Norfolk, Nebraska, to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch of Minot, North Dakota, or to the charity of your choice.

Nickel Funeral Home is assisting the family.