It is with deep sadness that the family of Amy Naatjes announce her peaceful passing on February 20, 2025 at the age of 44, following the bravest battle against pancreatic cancer. Surrounded by colorful flowers and meaningful crystals, she passed away with her family by her side.
She intended to help write this obituary but cancer came too quick. What an honor it is to tell the story of who this woman was. Her opening line likely would’ve been, “I’m not the normal person” and boy was that true.
Amy was born to Michael Naatjes and Glenda Pick. She spent the majority of her childhood in Spencer, Iowa. As a child, she was always bouncing around, forever smiling, and endlessly talking. From a young age, she found her joy in connecting with people. This continued throughout her life. For those who really knew Amy, she probably gave you a crystal, a Scentsy, or a bracelet. She knew your stories, heard your heartache, and held your hand.
Amy met her lifelong best friend, Alan Strang, and the love of her life, when she was 15 years old. Amy and Alan gave birth to Raina Strang in 1999 and Tyler Strang in 2002. She talked about how she had her kids early and after she received her cancer diagnosis, she said “thank God I did.” She was married to Alan on October 1st, 2005. Her wedding day was likely one of her happiest days. She had the biggest curls and widest smile that day. She assured us all it’d be a joyous, wild night. She said “I promise you, by the end of the night I will have ripped off the sleeves of my wedding dress in celebration…” And, she did.
Amy lived life on her own terms, unbothered by expectations or judgments. Her convictions gave her the freedom to fully embrace every moment, and even as she processed her diagnosis, she reassured us: "We had our time, and it was the best time."
While Amy worked hard everywhere she went, the titles and dedication in her places of employment didn’t matter to her as much as the people she met along the way. One of the most unique parts of Amy was her loyalty. She worked hard on her relationships. Amy was known for the best, longest phone calls of all time.
Amy loved adventure and the unusual. She and Raina shared a special bond over haunted houses, collecting memories in the thrill of the unknown. Tyler and Amy shared many laughs and memories over shooting zombies in Call of Duty.
The darkest moment for Amy was losing her daughter, Raina, suddenly after an asthma attack in 2022. After she passed away, there was a wisdom that came with that grief and she put all her efforts into spending time the ways she truly desired. The world was not always easy on her but that didn’t stop her from putting good energy back into it.
She enjoyed making friends wherever she went. Even while hospitalized, she was creating relationships, giving out chocolates and handing out gifts to everyone around her. We even asked oncology staff if this type of behavior was typical for those with a new terminal illness diagnosis. And the staff responded, “no, this is not typical.” We all laughed, and thought “only Amy.”
Nothing mattered more to Amy than time with those she loved. Her family asks you to send and share memories freely. This was one of her biggest requests in dying. If willing, we ask you to send memories to jeanlj2006@gmail.com so these memories can be collected and enjoyed.
She will be celebrated, honored, and missed by her husband, Alan Strang; her son Tyler Strang; her grandsons Ezekiel Kenneth De Los Santos and Bellamy Leigh Strang; her mother, Glenda Pick; her special godparents Lori and Gary Fossum; her sister Jessica (Bill) Baer; her sister Jennifer (Andy) Samson; her soul sisters including Alethea Klepper and Sarah Fude, others of her spiritual soul family; and close friends and family.
At Amy’s request, a visitation will be held at Warner Funeral Home in Everly, Iowa on Tuesday, February 25th, 2025 at 5:30-7:00pm to allow for closure. Also, at her request, a private service will be held at a future date.
Amy now dances and laughs with her daughter, Raina, reunited with those who came before her, including her father, Michael Naatjes, and her stepfather, Kent Marquardt. And to those she left behind—she warned us. She fully intended to spend her free time messing with us. Look for the signs. Share them. She wouldn’t have it any other way.
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
5:30 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
Warner Funeral Home- Everly
PRIVATE MEMORIAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT A LATER DATE.
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