Lois M. Van Horn

Lois M. VAN HORN Nov. 12, 1924 ~ Dec. 31, 2010 Lois Mina (Hyde) Van Horn, 86, passed away peacefully on New Year's Eve, 2010. Lois was born in Grand Island, Nebraska to Pearl (Kenyon) Hyde and Thomas Hyde in 1924. She attended Boelus High School and Telegraphy College in Chicago. In 1946 she worked as an office administrator at Grand Island Air Force Base where she met her future husband, Harold E. Van Horn. Lois and Harold married in Boelus, Nebraska on July 3, 1947. While Harold was stationed overseas, Lois earned a B. S. in Education at the University of Omaha. Lois and Harold were blessed with three sons. After Harold retired from the Air Force the family moved to Denver where Harold attended graduate school and Lois taught at a school for unwed mothers. Harold's career as a college professor took the family to: Ohio (Ohio State), Wisconsin (University of Wisconsin), and California (Chapman College). During this time, Lois lovingly raised her children and also earned her real estate license. Retiring in the late 1980's, Lois and Harold moved to Edmonds, Washington and then Mercer Island to be near their grandson and older sons. They were married 61 years, until Harold passed away in 2007. Lois was an active, loving and compassionate individual with an strong independent nature. She will be missed and will always remain in our hearts. Lois is survived by her three sons, Michael, Stephen, and Jeffrey; daughter in law, Patty Wittmann; grandson, Sean Van Horn; her brother, Dr. Burt Hyde; her sister, Mrs. Anita Pedersen; along with many nieces and nephews. Lois was preceded in death by her husband - Harold E. Van Horn; parents - Thomas and Pearl Hyde; grandmother - Mrs. Carrie (Callen) Kenyon; two brothers - Theron L. Hyde and Charles T. Hyde; and sister Harriett McDonald. Donations in Lois' name: The MDS Foundation, http://www.mds-foundation.org and ElderHealth Northwest, http://www.elderhealth.org