Natalie Dam's Obituary
Natalie Hilda Anderson Dam, 91, was born August 12, 1933 to Martin and Ruth Anderson in Stockholm (New Sweden), Maine. She passed away peacefully into the Arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Puyallup, Washington on June 18, 2025, with her 3 daughters and oldest Granddaughter by her side.
Born in Maine and raised in Massachusetts, Natalie was the middle child of seven with three older sisters and three younger brothers. She was a quiet, but outgoing child with a love of music and singing. She excelled at academics, learned to play the piano as a child and enjoyed singing in choir. After graduating from Belmont High School, she attended Barrington College in Rhode Island. She met the love of her life, Donald Dam, when he was invited to a family dinner at her parents’ house after speaking to the youth group at their church. After Don’s Honorable Discharge from the US Navy, they married in Belmont, MA on February 11, 1956. They stayed on the East Coast for a few years where they welcomed their first 3 children. Don’s work with the Serviceman’s Christian Center and the Navigators in the early to late 1960’s included moving and traveling to many places across the country. The family eventually settled in Tacoma, where they welcomed two more sons and two more daughters. The family moved into their home on East 30th in 1976, where Natalie was still living until her latest health decline in April 2025. Natalie decided to complete her education in the late 70’s and earned her Bachelor’s in Education at the University of Puget Sound, fulfilling her dream of becoming a teacher. She taught elementary school and did a lot of substitute teaching before becoming the librarian at Gault Middle School in Tacoma, WA. She enjoyed that role and stayed there until her retirement.
Natalie was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church in Tacoma for well over 50 years and stayed a strong supporter as the church transitioned to Hope Point Church a few years ago. She led by example in her service to her church, her community, her family, and supported many missionaries and outreach groups over the years. She was a quiet, (yet fearless), steady and consistent leader. She was an active member of numerous Eastside Community Groups where she helped fight for change and to better the community around her. Another very important group to her was the Pierce County Wednesday Morning Prayer Breakfast, she started attending the “Men’s Prayer Breakfast” when she needed to start driving Don, about 25 years ago. After his pasing in 2004, she became the first woman to attend regularly, pioneering women to be part of this special weekly event. In recent years she could forget some things, and often sleep until 11am, but she was always consistent in getting up early and being at her 7am Prayer Breakfast. She valued all her connections, and she stayed busy with these groups until recently.
Natalie’s hobbies included doing puzzles (always late into the night), newspaper crossword puzzles, playing games like Scrabble & Rack-o, collecting sea-glass, tending to her houseplants, and she also loved baking, her specialties were Spritz cookies, Wacky Cake, Nisu (a Finnish braided cardamom sweet bread), and blackberry pie with her amazing pie crust. She was also very proud of her roses, and she loved how they bloomed at her front door for so many months.
Natalie loved her family dearly and was always willing to drop anything to be with them. She loved family dinners and being able to spend time together. She was a huge supporter of her kids and grandkids in their various events, activities and sports. She rarely missed a concert, program, show, or game if it was nearby and she could get there. She loved hearing and seeing pictures when she couldn’t attend. Seeing the kids, grandkids or great-grandkids playing would bring a smile to her face.
Natalie was preceded in death by her loving husband Donald Alva Dam, four sons Don, Ken, Tim, Tom, grandson Kyle Hartley & daughter-in-law Kay. As well as her parents Martin & Ruth Anderson, sisters Birdie, Phyllis, Lucille, and brothers Sonny and Lloyd.
She is survived by her 3 daughters Linda (Mark) Hartley, Sharon (Kurt Sr) Strauss and Debi (John) Glenn, as well as her brother Harley Anderson, and daughter-in-Laws Vera (Allan) Williams, and Geri Johnson.
She leaves behind many amazing grandchildren & great-grandchildren: Damion (Chloe) Dam (Beckett & Kennedy) , Marijke (Brian) Fetzner (Jack, Kate & Nora), Dylon (Julia) Dam (Ellie & Easton), Ryanna Hartley, Angela Hartley (Steven) Inkpen (Vivian, Zane & Coraline Hartley, Alex Inkpen), Joshlynn Dam, Mitchell Johnson, Jacob Dam, Crystal (Lorenzo) Dowling (Tate & Nalani), Allysa Strauss, Deserea (Kyle) Miller (Maxx), Michele (Trevor) Talkington (Theo & Rory), Kurt Strauss Jr, Zachary (Tatyana) Strauss, Jailyn (Alek) Sharp, Katelyn Strauss, Donyelle Strauss, Jordan (Timia) Dam (Jordan Jr, Naliyah & Priest), Shawn Glenn, Alex Glenn. She was blessed to travel last year and meet her youngest great-grandkids, and she was able to watch the live-stream of her youngest grandchild graduating on June 8th. Those were important milestones for her, and we loved to help her fulfill those things.
She also leaves behind countless wonderful nieces and nephews, a sister-in-law, and so many friends from all walks of her long and blessed life.
Our sweet mama was a true example of a Godly woman, faithful wife, cherished and devoted mother, loving and doting grandma & great-grandma, patient teacher, prayer warrior, compassionate mentor and caring friend. Hers was a life well lived.
We Loved our Sweet Matriarch dearly and we will miss her so much! However, we have assurance and faith that this is not a good-bye, but a “See ya later, save me a seat”, as we will reunite with her in her new mansion in Heaven!! “Absent from the Body but Present with the Lord!”, was something we grew up hearing from dad, and mom continued to pass that on to us also.
Celebration of her life, Saturday, July 12th, 4:00pm. Please join us at Lighthouse Christian Center at 3409 23rd St SW, Puyallup, WA 98373. We invite you to stay and visit with us at the reception to follow.
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