Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Anna Horsch Obituary
December 2, 1930 ~ April 4, 2020
Joy passed away peacefully April 4, 2020 at her retirement home in Rancho Mission Viejo, Ca., due to medical complications. Joy was born in Boston and at a young age moved with her family to the Seattle area. She eventually moved to Bothell, Wa. along with her sister Gloria.
Joy lived a very full life and there was nothing that she liked more than being around people, cooking, laughing, and entertaining. From the many holiday dinners with family, to the countless potluck dinners in the summer with neighbors and friends, she loved every moment. The family home in Bothell was always filled and noisy with the friends of her four children who, when not playing games were grabbing cookies, sandwiches, and other homemade goodies.
As she raised her four children in Bothell she became interested in the hospitality business and worked at the Olympic Hotel in Seattle. Later on she became a manager and trouble shooter for
the Quality Inn hotel chain in the western half of the United States.
Her last assignment was in Davenport, Iowa, where she met and married Rudolf Horsch, then a senior design engineer of heavy equipment for the J.l. Case company. From there they relocated to Wausau, Wisconsin with Rudy's company. Never one to sit still, Joy restored a 10,000 square foot house (listed on the national historical register) into a bed and breakfast. She then opened the "Back When" cafe; to share her love of entertaining and cooking.
They spent the last 20 years of retirement in Southern California (Laguna Niguel) continuing all her favorite things: making many, many new friends, cooking, entertaining and telling Rudy what to do. One of her favorite hobbies was wearing out the slot machines at a local casino, her day job! Always willing to volunteer, she spent many hours at the Historic Spanish Mission in San Juan Capistrano, eventually becoming president and co-authoring the mission cookbook.
She is survived by her husband Rudy, son Joseph R Vitulli Jr. (Debbie), grandsons Josh and Markus, daughter Jolene Vitulli Lucci (Glenn), grandchildren Glenn Jr. And Gianna, daughter Joan Vitulli, and was preceded in death by son, Jeff Vitulli.
Remembrances can be made to the American Heart Association and please sign Joy's online guest book at www.legacy.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Anna Horsch
Sponsored by The Family.
Kathy Evans
November 1, 2021
Dear Joy - What a pleasure to have met you and Rudy when our paths crossed in Wausau, WI. I have you to thank for rekindling my desire for the beauty in life, and for opening my eyes to what is possible with a little confidence. My deepest gratitude for leaving us two landmark gems here in Wausau, and for your dear family who now lives on in your absence. My thoughts and prayers are with you, dear Rudy, and your family.
Kate Conwell-Doyle
May 18, 2020
Joy was the consummate extrovert whom everybody loved and loved to be around because she loved people! There will always be a little hole in the universe that no one but Joy can fill. Rest In Peace, Joy, and have a nice glass of wine waiting for each of us.
Sarv and Veena Grover
May 15, 2020
Anna Joy was wonderful friend and a caring person. She was full of life and always smiling. God Bless her departed soul. We will miss her physical presence but she will be always in our hearts.
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Michael Mueller
May 13, 2020
Laughter, great food and good company, that is what made our friendship so special!
Joy are there slot machines in heaven?
Your friends now and forever
Mike and Bea
Peggy Hosmer
May 13, 2020
I was so blessed to be Joy and Rudys next door neighbor in Laguna Niguel. Joy instantly took me under her wing, and made me feel welcomed, and a part of the family from Day One. She was a Very Special Lady, one in a million, and her joie de vivre was felt by everyone she came in contact with. I will miss her, along with dozens of others, and will always think of her with a smile. We were lucky to have known her. Rest In Peace, Dear Joy. A Life Well Lived. xoxo Peggy
Tom and Sandi Minty
May 12, 2020
Joe and Debbie... I am so glad that we were able to meet your Mom at Marcus and Sharlee's wedding! She was a wonderful lady and we are so sorry for your loss!
May 11, 2020
Joy,
You were our Mae West and Bon Vivant who brought so much light into our lives.
...We considered you and Rudi to be our "parents without guilt" and joked that if our family were ever in a fight that we know you would be right along our side.
Natalie and I (and Bri and Alex) feel so fortunate to have been blessed to have had you as one of our most intimate gifts - what a joy it was to have enjoyed so much time with you over the last two decades.
Our most cherished moments with you were joking about your political leanings - and your willingness to let us be ourselves.
You will be missed and always treasured - the angels are smiling bigger smiles Joy - please make sure to tell them to get the coffee out hot and fast.
Love
The Baptiste Family
Reno Santos
May 11, 2020
Mrs. Horsch was such a sweet lady I loved talking with her and listening to her stories.
Reata Glen
May 11, 2020
Wishing you peace.
Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results
Make a Donation
in Anna Horsch's name
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
Memorial Events
for Anna Horsch
People and places connected with Anna
Recent Obituaries
How to support Anna's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Anna Horsch's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
