Natalie Dubin Nearenberg Obituary (1937 - 2019)

Natalie Dubin Nearenberg, 82 of Overland Park KS passed away on Tuesday, September 17th, 2019. Graveside services will be 3:30pm Thursday, September 19, 2019 at Sheffield Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Natalie M. Foundation. Natalie was a lifetime resident of the area and a proud graduate of Wyandotte High School. She attended the University of Colorado and the University of Missouri, Kansas City where she completed her degree in education. Natalie taught in the Kansas City area at Welborn and Eugene Ware schools. She was also a dedicated Sunday school teacher at Ohev Sholom and The Temple B’nai Jehudah. Throughout her life, Natalie believed that education was the key to success not just for each individual, but for our world. In 1961 Natalie accepted a position at the Jewish Community Center where she ran the tween program with over one thousand participants. It was there that she was introduced to her future husband Martin Nearenberg. It was love at first sight and they were engaged after just three dates. Natalie and Martin married in 1963 and ultimately formed a family business, originally named Fashions at Large. The business flourished, finally settling in South Overland Park. Martin passed away in 1999 and Natalie continued to carry on the tradition of dressing the women of Kansas City. The business eventually evolved into Natalie M., the M being on honor of her beloved husband. Natalie had a true love of fashion and helped to bring many top designers to the area. She believed that women of every shape and size deserved to feel beautiful for every special occasion. She also believed in giving back to her community. Natalie did just that on a personal level and through the family business. Her love of education and her desire to empower young women lead to the development of the Natalie M. Foundation in 2004. Natalie’s vision has resulted in thousands of young men and women earning community service hours, developing confidence and raising funds for their school. To date, over a half of million dollars has been raised for education and dozens of deserving students have received scholarships for college. Natalie is preceded in death by her parents Herman Dubin and Lillian Abrams Dubin Kraitchman, stepfather Carl Kraitchmanm, her sisters Phyllis Wainstock and Sandra Birnbaum and her beloved husband Martin. Natalie loved ice cream, Neil Diamond, “girl power” and meeting new people. Most of all she loved her family including her son Steven Nearenberg, daughter Myra Nearenberg of Overland Park, KS and grandchildren Jillian Jagoda, Austin, Texas and Joshua Jagoda, Chicago, Illinios. Natalie has left a legacy that her family and friends will cherish.