Debra Naatz Bottelberghe

The funeral service for Debra Naatz Bottelberghe, 62, of Walnut Grove, will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 1, 2022, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Vesta, MN.  Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the church.  A livestream and recording of the service will be available at the St. John’s Lutheran Church Facebook Page.

Debra Jeanne (Naatz) Bottelberghe was born on July 5, 1959, in Austin, MN, to Emil and Ione (Heikes) Naatz.  Debra grew up and graduated from high school in Austin.  She also lived in Madison Lake for a few years before moving to Walnut Grove in 1995.  She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Southwest State University in Marshall.  Debra worked for the Hope DAC in Marshall, Good Samaritan Home in Redwood Falls, Lamberton Nursing Home, Swcil, and most recently was working for Brentwood in Marshall.  Debra was very social and enjoyed helping people.  She was fond of Laura Ingalls Wilder and that led to her move to Walnut Grove.  On March 4, 2000, she was united in marriage to Michael Bottelberghe.  The couple enjoyed their hobby farm and all of the farm activities, especially raising chickens.  Debra was most passionate about time spent with her family.  She was very active with 4-H for many years.  She also enjoyed camping and gardening and feeding treats to her favorite Alpaca, Marshall.

After suffering a heart attack on Mother’s Day, Debra was hospitalized at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Hospital in Minneapolis.  She died there on Saturday, June 25, 2022. 

Debra is survived by her husband Mike Bottelberghe of Walnut Grove, son Joshua Yanzer of Riceville, IA, daughter Elizabeth Bottelberghe of Lucan, son Michael Bottelberghe of Walnut Grove, step-daughter Tessa (and Anthony) Thielges of Seaforth, step-son Ryan (and Karla) Bottelberghe of Vesta, step-son Adam (and Stacey) Bottelberghe of Windom; grandchildren Katie, Kelly, Ty, Kody, Mary, Jamie, Nicholas and Harley.  Also survived by her mother Ione Naatz, brothers David (and Carol) Naatz and Robert (and Rachel) Naatz, and nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by her father Emil Naatz.