Natalie Sue Winder (Cartagena)

Natalie Sue Winder, 52, of Independence, MO passed away on February 22,
2021, quietly in sleep while living in a care facility, struggling to recover from several
medical issues. Natalie was born in Santa Rosa, CA. on August 27,1968. She may have
been born in Santa Rosa, but her home and heart were always in the beautiful Colorado
plains. She attended Thornton High School and Job Corps in Utah, where she
graduated top of her class in cooking at which she excelled. Though she moved back
and forth between the two states, her heart was always in Colorado. While cooking was
a skill she excelled at, writing was her passion. Words to her are some of the most
powerful forms of expression. The many published works throughout the years,
unpublished work in abundance, her family will have her powerful and heartfelt words
will help to comfort, remind, and celebrate the amazing woman she was. She lived for
her kids and her family and that is what kept her going. Our love for her will never
waiver.

This woman was A devoted Nana, strong daughter, amazing mother, and loving
friend. Natalie was a single mother of two beautiful kids and 5 wonderful grand
babies. The most loyal friend who loved with all she had. Though Natalie was taken
young, she had more love in her life than she knew what to do with. A strong role
model mother influenced many of her beliefs. She will be forever loved and missed, but
will live on through the family she helped create. Natalie was a rare breed and a
treasure to know and have as a friend and family because they were the same to her.

She is survived by a daughter, Breanna Winder age 31 and son, Charles Winder
age 29, her mother, Anne Barker (Ransbottom) of Independence; also including her
daughter’s husband and the 5 grandkids her daughter brought into her life. She had a
huge family of cousins, aunts and uncles scattered across the country. Self-appointed
sisters, Lucresia James, Tracy Chavez, Alisa Powell, Tamara Hemenway, Melissa Watts,
and Giamarie Ward (just to name a few) whose life-long friendships at some point or another,
meant more to her than she they know. Natalie made and chose most whom she called family.
If her trust and/or love was given, then know you were family in her heart. To be a part of either
one is truly an honored gift that will forever be treasured. Natalie was preceded in death by her
father, Edward Cartagena.

Services will be at a future date as a celebration of life when the weather is better. Daughter,
Breanna will make the proper announcements when the time comes.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to be made to any child adoption charities
of your choosing or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.