Rita M. Horton

Rita Marie (Johnston) Horton, 100, of Parsons, KS, passed away at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, August 3rd, 2024, at Woodridge Assisted Living, Parsons, KS. Her death was as she would have wanted – surrounded by her storytelling, laughing, noisy bunch of kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids reminiscing about what a wonderful, loving, kind and extremely funny person she was and how blessed they were that she was theirs. As a toddler her great grandson Aiden just called her Great rather than Great Grandma and it just stuck – she truly was Great! She had a very special bond with her granddaughter Sydney—they were lunch buddies nearly every day for two years and they both cherished those times.

Rita was born October 4th, 1923, in South Mound, KS to John Omer and Mary Olive (Pontious) Johnston. She graduated from St Paul High School in 1942. Rita was a wonderful self-taught pianist. In high school, during lunch, she would play the piano and the other students would dance. She quit playing for 20+ years and one day one of her kids asked her if she could still play her piano and she said yes, I can and sat down and started playing. Many Woodridge residents enjoyed listening to her play – someone even put a tip jar on the piano.

On July 1, 1944, she married Floyd R. Horton at the historic Mission San Fernando in California. Most of her married life was spent in Parsons, KS. She worked at the Parsons Army Ammunition Plant, Broderick's sewing plant and her dear friend Vera Mattox convinced her to work alongside her in the food service department at USD 503 cooking for all those students. The job she loved the most and was amazing at was that of a mom, not only to her twelve children, their children, and on down the line but countless others. All were welcome in our home, and you did not have to check ahead of time – mom found a way to feed however many people there happened to be. She worked many, many years preparing and working funeral dinners at St. Mary's and later at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. She also volunteered for years at Saint Vincent DePaul. She was a member of the Altar Society, Daughter's of Isabella – St. Lukes Circle 239 – both celebrating 100 years in 2023. She was a wonderful seamstress and an amazing hand quilter. As she grew older, she came to love adult coloring books and completed hundreds of them – all meticulously executed and beautiful. Rita took pride in everything she did and had to keep her hands busy. She truly was a good and faithful servant.

Following retirement Rita and Floyd bought a motor home and had lots of fun times with their camping group – the Bean Town Ramblers, as well as trips to Branson, Oregon, and many places in between.

Survivors Include:

Seven Sons:

Floyd (Marilyn) Horton, John Horton, Vince (Jeanette) Horton -- Parsons, KS.

Dick (Vicki) Horton, Joe Horton – Pittsburg, KS.

Mike (Teresa) Horton – Frontenac, KS.

Kevin (Kristi) Horton – Mound Valley, KS.

Four Daughters:

Patty (Terry) Foster – Happy Valley, OR.

Pam Thompson – Springfield, OR.

Christy (Lance) Markley – Parsons, KS.

Cathy (Phil) Mercado –Kansas City, MO.

Mary Greenough – honorary daughter – Parsons, KS.

Along with dozens of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren as well as dozens of nieces and nephews.

Sibling: Donnie (Sue) Johnston – Cherryvale, KS.

She was preceded in death by her husband Floyd R. Horton March 13, 2012; son Tom Horton, March 22, 1997; grandsons Eli Horton and Shawn Fowler, granddaughters Danielle Mercado and Regan Foster, great-grandson Elijah Ozanich and twin great-granddaughters Finley & Quinn Horton; son-in-law Doug Thompson, parents Omer and Olive Johnston, sisters Dorothy Treiber, Margie Burzinski, Catherine Johnston, Mary Jo Robison, Pat Nelson, Mignon Yates and Olive Haight; brothers Bud Johnston and Bill Johnston.

Services are under the direction of Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, Parsons, KS. Rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. Friday, August 9th with visitation following – location 405 Main St., Parsons, KS. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 10th at Saint Patrick Catholic Church, 1807 Stevens Ave., Parsons, KS 67357.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions to Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Parsons, KS and may be sent in care of Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, PO Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.