Natalie “Tollie” Kolb, 97, of Austin, passed away peacefully on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 22, 2011, at Our House Memory Care.

Natalie was born Sept. 15, 1914, in what was then Poland/East Prussia to Emil and Ida (Schlender) Draheim. Her early years of growing up in a small farming community were disrupted by World War I, which destroyed the family farm and forced several relocations. Rather than staying to rebuild after the war, the family chose to immigrate to the U.S. and landed at Ellis Island in 1925.

The family migrated to Austin, Minn., where Natalie was educated at St. John’s Lutheran School, joined Geo. A. Hormel & Co., and became a naturalized citizen. She married Chris W. Kolb and had one daughter, Sharon. In 1957, Natalie joined Chris in operating the Kolb Bakery family business until retiring in 1972.

Woven throughout the demands of the business, Natalie maintained a lifelong participation in St. John’s Lutheran Church and varied Austin area activities. She golfed extensively, enjoyed card games with family and friends, her flower garden and bowled until she was 80 years old. Her early life trials and tribulations were transformed into a gentle love and involvement in her family’s lives in which she took great pride and pleasure.

Natalie’s legacy will be that of an appreciative citizen and a dedicated daughter, wife, mother and grandmother to her family.

Survivors include her daughter, Sharon Peroutka, Austin; two grandsons, Gregg (Leigh) Peroutka, Chanhassen, Thomas (Brenda) Peroutka, Eden Prairie; three great-grandchildren, Gina, Ryan and Nathan Peroutka.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Chris Kolb on May 15, 2000; brother, Edmund Draheim Sr.; sister-in-law, Gladys Draheim; son-in-law, Donald Peroutka.

A funeral service will 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011, at St. John’s Lutheran Church with Rev. William Natzke officiating. Friends may call one hour before the service at the church on Thursday. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery.

The casket bearers will be Gregg Peroutka, Thomas Peroutka, Gina Peroutka, Ryan Peroutka, Nathan Peroutka, and Ed Draheim.

Memorials are preferred to St. John’s Lutheran Church or donor’s choice. Arrangements by Mayer Funeral Home.