Ruth B. Hess Horning

Ruth B. Hess Horning, 86, of Lititz, and formerly of Denver, died peacefully on Monday, March 19, 2018 at Brethren Village. Born in Mount Joy Township, she was the daughter of the late Clayton and Ruth Landis Hess. A homemaker, she was the loving wife of the late Leonard L. Horning who died in 2005. She was an active member of New Life Fellowship Church, Ephrata. Earlier in her life she taught Sunday school in the adult women’s class at Manheim Mennonite Church.

Ruth had many varied interests including health and nutrition, history, genealogy, current events, reading and art. She did not graduate from high school, but that did not hold her back from a life long quest of learning. She was known to peruse her grandchildren’s college textbooks. Ruth loved studying history and people groups and often said she would have enjoyed being an anthropologist. The grandchildren learned if they asked a question about the drop of gypsy blood found in the DNA test she had taken, the conversation was off and running. Ruth was an atypical Mennonite woman of her time. Instead of attending sewing circle she preferred reading about Anabaptist history and church politics.

She was an accomplished water color artist and took lessons for many years. Each of her children and grandchildren received a painting. A highlight was winning Grand Prize in the Lititz Art Show in 1995. Above all, she enjoyed socializing and good conversations. She cherished visits from family, friends, and relatives. Ruth’s children and grandchildren were the most important things in her life. She loved having five daughters and her one boy.

Surviving are five daughters: Beverly Hess of Lancaster, Janey wife of Jim Lanza of Birdsboro, Maxi wife of Fred Shirey of Oley, Kathleen wife of Gary Brubaker of Lancaster, Nancy wife of Doug Bodden of Wyomissing, a son, LaVern husband of Patsy Horning of Morgantown, Twenty grandchildren, Fifty great grandchildren, four brothers: James husband of Helen Hess of Lititz, Thomas husband of Janice Hess of Bethel, William husband of Belinda Hess of Lititz, Herbert husband of Arlene Hess of Penryn, a sister, Grace wife of Bill Wolfgang of Pottstown, and a brother-in-law, Leon Stoltzfus of New Holland. Preceding her in death are three grandchildren: Dustin Enck, John Enck, Colin Shirey, and a sister, Nancy Stoltzfus.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Ruth’s Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving at the Neffsville Mennonite Church, 2371 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 3:00 PM. There will be a viewing on Friday evening at the Neffsville Mennonite Church from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. There will be no viewing on Saturday afternoon. Friends may visit with the family at the church on Saturday afternoon from 2:00 PM until the time of the service. Interment will be private in Bowmansville Mennonite Cemetery.

Those desiring may send contributions in Ruth’s memory to The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, 300 North LaSalle Street, Suite 4300, Chicago, IL. 60602-2584.