Obituary of Eleanore L. Horning

Eleanore L. "Ellie" Horning, 76, of Iowa City, died Friday, July 6, 2012, at her home after a short battle with pancreatic cancer, surrounded by her family and her beloved pets. Visitation will be held Friday, July 13 from 4 to 7 pm at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, with memorial services to be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 14 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Ellie's memory to Paws & More (Washington County Animal Shelter). Online condolences may be sent through www.gayandciha.com. Eleanore Louise Nolte was born June 26, 1936, in Dexter, Minnesota, the daughter of Otto T. and Mary Harriett "Hallie" (McCord) Nolte. She grew up in Hampton, Iowa and attended Hampton High School where she was the editor of the school newspaper. She graduated in 1953, and later attended the University of Iowa where she majored in Journalism. She married her soul mate John Robert Horning on September 2, 1956, in Hampton and they were married for 46 years before John's passing in 2002. The couple made their home in the Iowa City area, raising five children. Ellie worked for the University of Iowa parking department for over 30 years retiring in 2004. She was also active in AFSCME Local #12.She was also a longtime member of the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Iowa City. Ellie was gifted with many talents and passions. She was a strong supporter of the Republican Party, was an avid reader of history and fiction, loved a variety of literature especially Shakespeare, and did the most difficult crossword puzzles in ink. She spent many hours researching her family's history and their involvement in the American experience. She was very patriotic and had great respect for those who serve our country, which she instilled in all her children. She had a great love of animals and opened her heart & home to many throughout her life. She was a gifted seamstress, making many wedding dresses, baptismal gowns, and other special pieces for family and friends. She enjoyed traveling, whether it was to Major League ballparks, Civil War battlefields, and abroad in countries like Austria, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Ellie was an enthusiastic fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and St. Louis Cardinals and was lucky enough to be in St. Louis when the Cardinals won both the 2006 & 2011 World Series. Though Ellie's hobbies and passions were very important to her, her children, grandchildren and many three and four legged family members were her joy, her driving force and her greatest source of pride. Nothing was more important to Ellie than her family, to whom she gave her whole heart, her strength of character and her love. Ellie will forever be a part of the hearts of her friends and her family, which include her children: Andrew and his wife, Lisa Horning of Solon; Paul Horning of North Liberty; Michael and his wife, Emily Hayden Horning of St. Louis, MO; Sarah Horning and Catherine Horning both of Iowa City; five grandchildren, Drew and Colin Horning of Solon; and Charlotte, Abigail, and Josephine Horning of St. Louis, MO; and Ellie's beloved sister, Norma Ferguson of Coralville. She is also remembered by her nieces and nephews, extended family and friends whom she proudly considered to be as close as family. She was preceded in death by her parents Otto and Hallie Nolte, husband, John; brothers, David, Charles and Allen Nolte; and sisters, Doris Schmidt and Marian Rodemeyer.