Gordon William Natrop

Gordon William Natrop "Gordy", of Kimberly, Wisconsin, passed away at the age of 92 on November 29, 2024, at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center Appleton after a short period of pneumonia. 

Gordy was born in Kimberly, Wisconsin on July 26, 1932, to William and Ellen (McDaniel) Natrop. 

Gordon proudly enlisted in the United States Navy and served in the Korean war. After the service he worked as a Steamfitter Apprentice, then earned his Journeyman license. He had a passion for teaching and attended Purdue University's Steamfitter Instructor course. He went on to teach his trade to new apprentices in the evenings after putting in a full day on the job site. 

On October 23, 1954, he married the love of his life, Bernadine Nowak, and they spent many wonderful years together. Gordy grew up tending the chickens and the family garden. He even took on the duty of standing guard at night when one of his girlfriends needed to use the outhouse! No indoor plumbing back then. He was not a stranger to hard work, and he taught that value to his children. Gordy loved his folks and built his own house one block south of his childhood home in a new development in Kimberly. There Gordy and Bernie raised their four children. Jeff was taught to mow Grandpa Bill’s huge lawn. Jeff, Judy, Dave and Cheri visited grandma and grandpa often, as it was just a short walk to get cookies and milk. 

Gordy love to deer hunt. He taught Jeff to bow hunt at a young age and of course to help haul wood home for the winter fireplace. When Dave was old enough, he also went hunting, and when he went off to college, it was Cheri’s turn to learn to hunt. 

Gordy loved to fish; and early on he taught his kids to catch perch and walleye during the yearly vacation, the first week in August at the Glenn Park Resort on Lake Metonga in Crandon, Wisconsin. Later he went on many Canadian fishing trips with his late brothers Donnie and Russel. Gordy continued to fish at his northern lake home on Lake Hilbert. This was his pride and joy, spending much of his time up there with Bernie. Together they made many fond memories with their children and grandchildren. 

Gordy and Bernie both had a passion for downhill skiing. He taught all four of his children to ski at an early age and also his grandchildren. They went up to Northern Michigan almost every weekend during the winter months. 

If you live long enough time will take its toll. Gordy spent his last year and half at Frontida Assisted Living in Kimberly where he loved to tell stories about work and his time in the service on the USS Iowa. 

Gordy is survived by his son Jeffrey (Michelle) Natrop, Rockford MN; Dave Natrop, Rochester, NY; Cheri (Randis Jr) Marquardt, Grand Chute WI; seven grandchildren, Sarah (Chuck) Raustadt, Joshua (Megan) Natrop, Adam (Emily) Natrop, Matthew (Stephanie) Lyons, Aaron (Kelly) Lyons, Christopher (Mikayla) Marquardt, Nicole Marquardt, and nine great grandchildren; sister Mary (David) Jansen and numerous nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Bernadine, daughter Judy Lyons, sister Marguerite Hopfensperger, and brothers Donald and Russel Natrop. 

A special thank you to the healthcare workers at Frontida and Dr Shanna Su at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Appleton. 

There will be a Funeral Liturgy for Gordy on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church (600 East Kimberly Ave., Kimberly, Wisconsin) at 11:00 am with visitation beginning at 9:00 am until the time of service. Gordy will be laid to rest at Holy Name Cemetery.