Nate Mansfield

Nate Mansfield, 27, entered into the arms of his personal Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, March 11, 2009. He passed away in his sleep of accidental causes in his home in Kansas City, Mo.
Nathan Dennis Mansfield was born July 14, 1981, in Fontana, Calif., to Dennis and Susan Mansfield. As the firstborn, his was a lifetime of sports, film, politics and fun. His love of sports began with his first spoken word: "basketball" (no kidding). His love of film began in a baby carrier at the theater: "Raiders of the Lost Ark." His love of politics began in a backpack for a 1982 US Congressional race. His love of family was expressed with tender hugs, cackling laughter and teasing…oh, the teasing.
When he was 3, he welcomed his baby sister, Meg, with a kiss on her head, at the hospital. Later, he welcomed his baby brother, Colin, by taking him to Cole Christian School for his own 4th grade show-and-tell, 4 hours after he was birthed (again, no kidding). His best friend from that time, through high school till now, Mark Smit, was like his brother. They are forever friends. Nate graduated from Capital High in 2000.
As a child he loved spoken stories and would listen intently for hours about "Nathan the Adventurer." He was an auditory learner. As a homeschooler, he looked adults in the eye and spoke freely. As a private and public-schooler, he debated his teachers, fellow students and stood his ground. He was pro-life, conservative and loved to debate. He played life hard: sports, politics, learning and love.
Named after King David's prophet, Nathan, Nate was fearless with fairness. He wanted things fair. He radiated loyalty and expected it in return. His love-language was "quality time" and he passionately loved people; Nate was an evangelist of people. He loved to hear their life-stories. No person was a stranger, if they were real with him. He cherished relationships…with God and others. He accepted Christ as his Savior when he was young and grew to true manhood. Nate spoke with his dad on the phone about Jesus…only 48 hours before he met the Lord, face to face.
Nate passionately loved Ginny. He kept Christ in their relationship and they prayed morning and night together. She believed in Nate and will carry his memory with her through her life. She loved him deeply. Nate's love of his dogs, Satchel and Clarice was well known and returned to him by them.
His struggle with drugs robbed him of years of life. But death, where is your sting? Grave, where is your victory? Not with Nate Mansfield, for he is alive in Christ, free at last.
Frost gives way to florid spring,
The norm gets changed, what's happening?
The flowers bloom, the ice recedes,
The trees grow green, as do the leaves,
And so life changes, as it must,
Time moves on, turns to dust,
'Is' becomes 'was,' present to past,
Like scents in the wind, it happens so fast,
Nate, you're alive, of this we are sure,
You're hangin' with Papa, for death He's the cure.
by Colin Mansfield
Nate's past is finished. His present is upon him and your future with him requires your decision for Jesus.
Nate was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by his parents, Dennis and Susan Mansfield, his sister and brother-in-law, Meg and Caleb Roe, Nate's nephew, Cole Roe, Nate's brother, Colin Mansfield, his grandparents, CMSGT (ret) Bill and Marilyn Mansfield, Larry and Vonda Rampenthal, Wanda and Mac McKay, all his aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. His fiancée Ginger Bridger will love him for eternity.
He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Virginia Mansfield.
A visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at Bowman Funeral Parlor, Garden City. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 20, at the Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 4950 Bradley St., Garden City. A reception will follow at the church at 11:30 a.m. Private family committal services will follow at Morris Hill Cemetery, Boise.
In lieu of flowers, please make tax-deductible donations to New Horizons, Inc., P.O. Box 190831, Boise, ID 83719 – 0831, to help addicts overcome their addictions.