Florence S. Horner

Florence S. Horner, 96, of Denver, passed away on September 21, 2015.

Florence was born in the family farm home on July 13, 1919 two miles east of Berthoud, Colorado, the daughter of Peter and Katherine (Maul) Sterkel. She was the seventh of nine children. The family grew sugar beets and other crops on their farm. Being the fourth of five girls, her childhood was filled with great memories, such as walking down the country road on hot summer nights singing songs popular at that time and, as a result, she developed a beautiful voice. She belonged to the 4H club which kept her busy but learned very early, being the son or daughter of a farming family, that everyone had his or her chores. She graduated from the eighth grade at Whipple Elementary School, Berthoud High School in 1937, and completed her education at Barnes Business College in Denver. Afterward, she worked at Shwayder Brothers (now Samsonite luggage) as an accounts receivable supervisor and was a member of the board of directors for the company's credit union. Following the war years, her older sister introduced her to Edward Horner of Denver, and they were married on May 6, 1949 at the United Brethren church in her home town of Berthoud. After the birth of her two children, she became a stay-at-home mom. Her beloved husband Edward passed away in 1981. Florence continued to live at the same home in Denver from 1949 until late 2013 when she became unable to do so.

Something that had special meaning to her was the passport of her parents. They were born in Russia to German parents and married on February 28, 1903 by a pastor who was a relative of her father. With many in the family already in the United States, her father's brother-in-law became a sponsor for her immigrating parents, and soon they were on their way to the United States from Russia on November 26, 1903. From the port of Bremerhaven, Germany, they departed aboard the USS Breslau, the journey taking two months, before they finally arrived in Ellis Island in February 1904. From the immigration center at Ellis Island, they traveled to the port of Galveston, Texas and then on to Denver. She said the reason the passport was so special to her is had her parents not come to the United States, she would have been a little old lady walking around the Ukraine!

Florence was an avid sports fan, including the Broncos and baseball, but due to her macular degeneration, she listened to the games on the radio. For many years, she also enjoyed listening to a myriad of educational, entertaining, and informative subjects on her favorite radio station. She assisted with the Sunday school nursery at her United Methodist church, and in later years, also enjoyed attending a retirement group and other activities.

We want to acknowledge with great appreciation the care and compassion of the staff of the Arbors of San Marino Assisted Living and Clear Creek Care Center of Westminster who assisted in our mother's care at the end of her life. We are truly grateful for the wonderful care they provided.

Florence is survived by daughter, Linda Pritchard; son, Edward (Alice) Horner Jr.; four grandchildren, Heather Mosher, Jennifer (James) Wagner, Matthew Horner, and Andrew Horner; four great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn Mosher, Ella Mosher, Ellie Wagner, and Jacob Wagner; and brother, Pete (Jean) Sterkel. She is preceded in death by her husband, Edward M. Horner, Sr.; parents, Peter and Katherine Elizabeth Sterkel, and several brothers and sisters.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at:


http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp.

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