Dr. Natalie Brinkerhoff Stipanovic of Windsor, CO left this life at 46 years of age on November 23, 2019. Natalie was born on June 18, 1973 to Lois Burnside Huisenga and Allen Brinkerhoff in Joplin, MO.
Everyone that knew Natalie knew her kind, humble heart, and her love for her 3 sons. With a Ph.D. in the field of Psychology, she had the great gift of listening. She was known by family and friends as someone that they could call on when needing advice and understanding guidance. She was quick to identify the gifts and talents that each of us was granted and encouraged us to build on them.
Natalie was an accomplished tenured faculty member at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO. She earned a Bachelor's Degree, Masters, and Ed.S. from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS. and a Ph.D. from the University of Wyoming in Laramie, WY. She was well-published, respected in her field, and loved by her students and colleagues.
However, her greatest accomplishments by far were her 3 sons: Callaway, Ahmed, and Noah. She was a loving and devoted mother first and foremost. She treasured her amazing boys and the moments that they shared together. She made sure they had life experiences through travel, education, and unprejudiced thinking.
Natalie is preceded in death by her son Ahmed, who left this world at 9 years old on August 2, 2019. Natalie devotedly cared for Ahmed during his long illness and they are now together on the other side of the rainbow.
Natalie is survived by a loving family that will miss her beauty and kindness dearly. Her two sons, Callaway (27) of Paris, France and Noah (7) of Windsor, CO. She loved these boys dearly and fiercely. She was so very proud of them in every way. Her husband, Robert Stipanovic of Windsor, CO. Her parents, Lois Burnside Huisenga of Kansas City, MO. and her father, Allen Brinkerhoff of Muleshoe, TX. Her siblings, Joshua Huisenga of Kansas City, MO, Lyndsey Brinkerhoff Normand of Lake Ozark, MO., and Angela Brinkerhoff Neria of Carl Junction, MO. and their families. She was an aunt to Montana, Abby, Shelby, Brooks, Bryn, Breckyn, and Pheonix-who she shaped and molded into caring young people.
Natalie will be remembered by those who loved her most and knew her best for her kind heart, listening ear, great taste in music, podcast recommendations, quiet but quick wit, and amazing culinary skills. Dr. Natalie Brinkerhoff Stipanovic simply made this world a better place and her sweet soul will be missed.
A burial service for Natalie will take place at Lakeview Cemetery in Windsor, CO on December 3rd at 2:00 pm. All are welcome to join her family to say goodbye to this beautiful, loving, and accomplished woman.
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