Nat W. Kinlund

November 22, 2023

Nat and his twin brother, Neal, were born at home in Arkansas City on May 2, 1941 to Harold and Georgia (Lawson) Kinlund. They joined one older brother and three older sisters. Nat passed away at home in Longmont, Colorado, with family by his side on October 20, 2023.

Nat lived with his family in Arkansas City before moving at two years old with his family to Tribune.
Nat graduated from Greeley County High School in 1959. He participated in many sports; he loved playing basketball and was the high school quarterback. The summer after graduation, Nat traveled with a harvest crew through Oklahoma and Kansas.

In the fall of 1959, he enrolled at Ottawa University and the next year transferred to Kansas State University, where he and Neal were both members of the Sigma Nu fraternity. Nat missed the small-town life and, in the fall of 1961, returned home to work for the Weaver Ranch in Tribune. After spending that fall as a cowboy, he decided one day, on the back of a horse in a blizzard, to go back to school.

He enrolled in Emporia State University as a P.E. and Biology major.
At ESU, he met Diane Hunt. They were married in August of 1964. Nat went on to graduate with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education.

After graduation, both Nat and Diane taught in Garden City, Kansas, for four years. They then taught in Clarkston, Michigan, for one year before settling in Longmont, Colorado in the fall of 1970. They soon after welcomed their daughter Tara, and three years later, their son Jed. That year, Nat taught sixth grade in the original Hygiene Elementary building. The next year, Nat had an internship with Bud Marsh at Frederick Elementary School. He then became an assistant principal for Dwight Wederquist at Lincoln Elementary School, Hygiene Elementary, and Longmont Estates Elementary. Nat served as principal at both Longmont Estates Elementary and Mead Elementary during his career. He also served as the Director of Elementary Education for the St. Vrain Valley School District for three years.

After retiring, Nat and Diane traveled extensively throughout the United States. Nat also worked for his son Jed’s lawn care business for several years.
Nat was a member of The Heart of Longmont First United Methodist Church and The Friday Night Dinner Group. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Hygiene Cemetery for many years.

Nat was happiest cutting wheat for Harris Farms in Tribune, working with his son, and being at home with friends and family.

Nat is survived by his wife, Diane, his daughter Tara (Norm) Oliphant, and son Jed (Coleen) Kinlund.

Additionally, he is survived by his brother Neal, of San Marcos, Texas, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In Nat’s honor, memorial contributions can be made to Mead Elementary School Library, 520 Welker Avenue, Mead, CO 80542 or TRU Community Hospice Care ,2594 Trailridge Drive East, Lafayette, CO 80026.