Ruth K. Horst

Ruth K. Horst, 90, slipped quietly away from this life into the presence of Jesus early Sunday morning, January 13, 2013. Born on March 17, 1922 in West Liberty OH, she was the daughter of late Abraham King, Jr. and Alice (Hartzler) King. She was the loving and devoted wife of Luke L. Horst for 67 years. They resided in Shillington before moving to Landis Homes Retirement Community, Lititz, in 2001.

Ruth will long be remembered as a godly woman, faithful wife, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and favorite aunt. A consummate homemaker, her greatest joy was to prepare and serve delicious home cooked meals to family and friends and she was known for her homemade bread and pumpkin pies. She loved birds and flowers and playing Scrabble. Until her recent illness, she anticipated and enjoyed water aerobics twice a week at Landis Homes. Ruth was influential in the lives of many women through her friendship, through teaching women’s Bible studies, and through her involvement in church work with her husband in Reading, New England and Mississippi. She was a member of Gehman Mennonite Church near Adamstown.

In addition to her husband Ruth is survived by seven children: Naomi (James) Weaver, Lancaster; Esther (Lewis) Martin, Reinholds; Ellen (Ronald) Helmuth, Bethlehem; Margaret (John) Frost, Sarasota FL; Nancy (the late Spencer) Perkins, Thomas (Thelma Weaver), Dorcas (Graham) Cyster all of Lancaster, 21 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren and by two sisters: Isabelle (King) Yoder, Newport News VA and Nancy (King) Wood, Hudgins VA. She was preceded in death by her son-in-law and by seven siblings.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service on Sunday, January 20, 2013 at 3:00 pm at Bowmansville Mennonite Church, 129 Pleasant Valley Road, East Earl, PA. Friends may greet the family from 2:00 pm until the time of the service. There will be NO VIEWING on Sunday. A viewing will be held on Saturday, January 19 from 6 – 8 pm in West Bethany Chapel at Landis Homes, 1001 East Oregon Road, Lititz. Burial will be private.

Our family is grateful for the excellent care Ruth received from nursing and support staff of Oregon House at Landis Homes and, during the last few days of her life, from Hospice of Lancaster County. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Landis Homes Caring Fund, 1001 East Oregon Road, Lititz, PA 17543.

To send online condolences, please visit: www.groffeckenroth.com.