Natalie Beatrice Olson , 10, Minot, was lifted from her wheelchair to her heavenly home on Sunday, January 22nd, 2017.

Natalie was born on October 22nd, 2006 in Minot to Perry and Melissa Olson, weighing in at just two pounds, four ounces. Her first few days and weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit were filled with many ups and downs. She captured the hearts of many who followed her journey, until she left the hospital in January of 2007.

Her early struggles in the NICU led to a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, blindness, and eventually a seizure disorder. While these diagnoses caused major setbacks in her life, her bright, happy personality always shined through. Natalie's smile lit up a room, and she was well known for her beautiful, thick, curly hair. In school, she gained many friends, who loved to read to her, sing with her, and incorporate her into school activities. She truly loved her time in school and the teachers and aides who devoted so much of their time to her. Perhaps the only thing Natalie loved more than school, was the loud and bumpy ride to and from her home each day on the school bus.

Natalie's favorite times were in the summer. Whether it be on horseback for hippotherapy at the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch with one of her many horses over the years, to her weeks spent along the beach in Minnesota during the annual Olson family lake vacation. Natalie could not see or speak, but she could feel the horse beneath her, the wind against her face, and hear the birds chirping, and waves coming in. Summer also meant baseball with the Dreamcatchers team in Minot. She loved to be wheeled around the diamond especially the last year or two when her brothers Calvin and Dexter were old enough to smack the ball and guide her way to home plate. Summer brought time in Sherwood at Papa's house. She loved sitting on the back porch with grandma listening to the birdies and leaves rustling in the wind. Recently, she took a liking to winter thanks to Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports. She was a special hockey player for the team -- and had a great, dedicated coach who worked so hard to make her a special sled that would fit her body perfectly even if it was just for a few games.

Natalie was blessed with a large family. Her brothers Calvin and Dexter, along with sister Frances adored her. In fact, Francie just recently started saying her name. She excitedly waited at the door each day for Natalie to arrive home on the school bus. She had aunts, uncles, and numerous cousins who accepted her and helped care for her and love her even keep that famous hair looking beautiful. Her grandpas and grandmas spent days at her side in the NICU and during other hospital stays and loved her with all their hearts for her entire life. While Natalie didn't know much of this world, we can say without a doubt that she knew she was loved. When she would shoot you a wide-open-mouth smile after a loud kiss or a funny noise, you knew she loved all of you, too.

Natalie couldn't talk, yet we know she is so thankful for all who helped her during her journey on earth so we'll say it for her. Thank you to the doctors and nurses and pilots and first responders who so lovingly treated her throughout her life. Thank you to her teachers, therapists, and ever-so-special aides who were constantly by her side at school. Thank you to her friends who spent time with her and included her at Jefferson, Edison, and Hoeven Elementary Schools and even invited her to birthday parties. Thank you to the many total strangers who knew her story and would pray for her during good times and bad. Thank you to her respite care friends, who gave all they had to her during their time with Nat. Thank you to Father Fred Harvey for all you did for her. Blessing her each week, and constantly keeping her in your prayers. And most of all, thank you to our God in Heaven for giving her ten years and three months to leave her mark on the world. While we are sad we can't hold her any longer, we are happy that she's been called home. Gone are her earthly disabilities. Nat, get out and run with your older sister Cheryl Lori who we know was waiting for your arrival.

Natalie, we miss you so much. It was an honor being your parents. We hope we did a good job, and we can't wait to see you again soon. Keep watch over all of us, and soon we'll be up to tell you we love you and we can't wait to hear you say it, too.

Love always sweet Natalie B --

Mom and Dad

Natalie is survived by her parents, Perry and Melissa Olson, Minot, ND; siblings Calvin, Dexter, and Frances Olson; great-grandmothers Beatrice Hanson, Sioux Falls, SD, and Sylvia Olson, Sun City, AZ; grandparents Terry and Cheryl Miller (Sherwood), James and Lori Olson, aunt Carolyn (Charles) Moore, uncles, Timothy Olson and Steve (Brittany) Miller, all of Minot; uncles, Brad (Nancy) Miller, Brian (Tricia) Miller of Bismarck; uncle, Scott Miller (Mandan); uncle, Bob (Roxane) Miller of Oakes; and uncle, Greg (Tahnee) Miller of Fargo; as well as numerous cousins.

She was greeted in Heaven by her sister, Cheryl Lori, and great-grandparents Louis and Vivian DesLauriers, Edward and Dora Miller, Donald Olson and Harold Hanson.

Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, January 28, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. in Little Flower Catholic Church, Minot.

Visitation: Friday, January 27, 2017 from 1:00 3:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home Minot and then from 4:30 6:00 p.m. in Little Flower Catholic Church, Minot with a Vigil Prayer Service to start at 6:00 p.m.

Memorials are preferred to Dreamcatchers of Minot, Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports or Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch Hippotherapy Program.