It is with great joy and sadness that we announce the death of Jean Elizabeth Horst on December 2, 2021, at her home in Mountain View, Missouri. Jean was born in Butte, Montana, to William and Anne (Cliff) Cotton. She told us she weighed three pounds and a quarter, was healthy, but just tiny.
Her family moved to Red Bank, New Jersey when she was eight years old. Jean called Red Bank home, growing up with her extended family and her father training horses for Green Tree Stables. She reminisced about shaving her grandfather before she went to school when he could no longer shave himself.
As a young child, Jean discovered a love of reading that lasted throughout her life. She graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School in 1942 as valedictorian. She attended Misericordia Hospital School of Nursing, in Brooklyn, New York, graduating in 1945.
During nurses’ training, she met Phillip Horst, a young man from Mountain View, Missouri, serving in the Coast Guard. Phillip and Jean were married on May 3, 1946, in Brooklyn, New York. To this union, five children were born, Ellen Gruszczynski (Peter), William Horst (Rhonda), Mark Horst (Linda), Deborah Lewis (John), and Philip Horst (Darlene).
In 1950 Jean, Phillip, Ellen, and Will moved to Mountain View to be closer to Phillip’s family. From that time forward, Mountain View was her home. She was a faithful member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church. Jean was the first Registered Nurse hired to work at St. Francis Hospital in 1957. She was actively involved with the church and hospital and even taught Sister Cornelia how to drive a car. She retired from the hospital in 1988 to care for her husband following a massive stroke.
Jean was active in Cub Scouts, PTA, and the Missouri Nurses Association. She volunteered her time teaching religion and childbirth classes, spending some nights at the Agape House, and helping anyone in need.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Phillip; son, William and his wife, Rhonda; siblings, William, Lois, and Vera; and grandson, Matthew.
She is survived by a multitude of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, a few great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend a most sincere thank you to the angels in disguise that helped her to remain comfortable and loved in her own home. Jean, Fran, Kati, and Starla, words can’t begin to express how grateful we are for the kind, gentle, and sincerely loving care you gave to our Momma.
Hopefully, everyone that knew Jean has a happy story to share, bringing a smile to everyone’s face.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 11, 2021, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Mountain View, Missouri, with Fr. Joseph Stoverink officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 10, 2021, from 5-7:00 p.m. at Yarber Mortuary, Mountain View. Memorial contributions may be made to The Agape House, St. John Vianney Catholic Church, or Forest Dell Cemetery and left at the funeral home. Also, books may be donated to the Little Free Library set up in her honor, which is located at the entrance to Mercy St. Francis Hospital. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com
