Ruth Horner

Ruth R. Horner (Ruth Ann Reitnauer) passed away October 24, 2023, at Lakeview Terrace in Altoona, FL. Ruth was born on September 25, 1935, in Jackson, Michigan to Bernadine Mason Reitnauer and John Henry Reitnauer. She adored her big brother, John Wayne Reitnauer, and she married one of his friends. As told to us, Richard N. Horner completed his service in the Army and returned to see if John's little sister had grown up. Ruth was attending Albion College at the time and Richard was at MSU on the GI Bill. They traveled back and forth and wrote letters until they didn't want to be apart any longer. They were married on September 8,1956 at 1st Congregational Church in Jackson, MI. When Ruth left Albion to get married, she promised her parents she would finish her degree. Having two children, Karen and Doug, delayed this a bit, as she was committed to staying home to raise her children. She was the kind of mom that cooked from scratch and taught us too. She sewed clothes, made indoor forts and snow forts in the winter, and could be found volunteering at school or church. Ruth fulfilled her promise and finished her Bachelor’s in Education at Grand Valley State College and Master’s in Education at Central Michigan. Her favorite subject was math. Our family moved to Midland, MI from Grand Rapids in 1970 and she taught elementary school in the Midland Public Schools for 23 years. As recently as last year she was still receiving letters of appreciation from former students, many who went on to become educators themselves. After retirement, Ruth, Richard, and Cocoa their dog, lived their dream of building a house on a lake in Traverse City, MI. After a few snowy winters and the excitement of a new granddaughter in Florida, they moved to the Villages, FL. They enjoyed almost 25 years with family and friends in Florida. During this time Ruth volunteered at their church and Meals on Wheels. She became very involved in genealogy and the family books she made for us are a treasure. She enjoyed knitting, reading, scrapbooking, violets, taking computer classes, and traveling. She was proud to say she visited all 50 states, and her favorite place was Mackinac Island, MI. Ruth is survived by her husband of 67 years, Richard, and her children Karen (Matthew) of Eugene, Oregon, and Douglas “DJ” (Brenda) Horner of Maitland, Florida. She is also survived by her grandchildren Jacob (Anna) Dyste, Jenna Dyste, and Lauren Horner as well as her great-grandson Alder Dyste, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is dearly missed. A Memorial and Interment will be at a later date at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift in her name to Cornerstone Hospice Foundation, 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL 32778 or toast her while listening to the sound track of, or watching The Sound of Music or Somewhere in Time.

Ruth Horner

September 25, 1935 - October 24, 2023