Kathleen Hortman Funeral
Notes
Transcript
Kathleen Hortman was born December 11, 1928 in rural Houston County Texas. The end of the “roaring 20s”, the middle of prohibition, and the beginning of the great depression. She was born prematurely, weighing less than two pounds. The doctor did not issue a birth certificate, because he did not believe that she would live. He sent Kathleen home in a shoe box and told her mother to prepare to bury her newborn daughter. But her mother and grandmother nursed her along, covering her with moistened cloths and her grandmother scraping apple with a knife and feeding her. Her early childhood was without the presence of a father as the Great Depression began to overwhelm the nation. Her mother married a man, Ben Masten, who accepted and loved Kathleen as his own.
Ben was a man who was mechanically inclined and mentored Kathleen as he worked repairing whatever people needed. As a teenager, she got a job at Montgomery Ward, downtown Houston, working in the ladies department. But she did not like the ladies department, and transferred to the hardware department, working in electrical supplies. Because of her time helping Ben, she had a loyal following asking for her help, even helping some of the men who worked in the department.
In August 1946 Kathleen met Marion Hortman, recently honorably discharged from the Navy at the end of World War II. Their first date was to First Baptist Church Elkhart. After that, Marin knew that she was the one for him, and the feeling was mutual. Kathleen had not grown up in a church. But in September 1946, she joined First Baptist Elkhart. Since the church did not have a baptistry, she was baptized at the Methodist Church. Three months later, on December 29, 1946 they were married in Houston TX.
Thus began Kathleen’s lifelong commitment to her family, friends, church and community, where she was affectionally know as “Aunt Kat”. She has been a member of this church for 74 consecutive years, serving as Sunday school teacher, GAs leader, organized special events, established the Library here, served on numerous committees among other things. She was gifted with a wonderful singing voice, and sang in the choir and for special occasions.
Kathleen co-labored with Marion serving their community as volunteers - Room Mother, PTA officer, Cub Scouts, 4-H, March of Dimes, Polio eradication vaccine initiative, Elkhart Lions club, United Church Charities, Elkhart Medical Center, Palestine Regional Medical Center, served on two state-wide legislative committees involving public education.
Kathleen was on occasion, given to speaking her mind - sometimes, less diplomatically than Marion would have liked. Within the family, it is rumored that some of her children inherited that gene also.
Kathleen had the gift of hospitality. She loved to have company and was a good cook and hostess. The family often had guests in their home - family members, friends, Sunday School classes, pastors, traveling evangelists, missionaries, school teachers and administrators, students, local and state elected officials, guests from other nations and other religions. She welcomed them all.
Kathleen’s fried pies were legendary. I don’t know a lot about what heaven is like, but if she can find a stove and ingredients, Jesus is going to have the best fried pies that he has ever eaten.
Kathleen is survived by her husband of 74 years, Marion.
Their children: Darell and wife Elvie; Lonnie and wife Connie; Jackie and husband Tim Christian; David and wife PokHui(ee); Patricia Gruetzner.
Their grandchildren: Jonathan Hortman, Joseph Hortman, Joanna Hortman Baughman(Bowman), Josh Hortman, Jordan Hortman, Steven Christian, Miriam Christian Jackson, Katy Christian Slagle, Wilson Gruetzner, Jessica Gruetzner.
Numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to extend special appreciation to niece Myrna Gilcrease Stovall, who was an especially close friend, and who diligently, quietly and selflessly looked after Marion and Aunt Kat in their later years.
Kathleen was precede in death by an infant son, by her mother, Ora Parker Masten and Benjamin Masten, who was like a father to her and son-in-law Bill Gruetzner.
Kathleen lived-out Proverbs 31:17-29, in rural East Texas fashion. Her lamp was often on late at night, caring for family and others. When her children were young, she sewed clothes for them, substituting a manual sewing machine for the distaff and spindle. She was industrious, making and selling things from home. She made many wedding cakes. the wedding cake for some of you here today.
Proverbs 31:17-29
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
Part of what we will do here today is describe the life of a Proverbs 31 woman. A beautiful example of… Part of this has and will include specific stories of love and family and service. But the most important thing we can do here today is to point ourselves to Him who she is now in the presence of: Jesus.
You see, her life pointed people to Jesus. If you didn't get it when she told you about him, you could get it by watching the way she lived. And if you still didnt get it after all that, she’d just sing it for you! We have sung a song dear to her in the singing of I Don't Know About Tomorrow. In the short time I knew her, she sang it dozens of times for me, sitting in her living room or sun room.
Speaking of, those mornings sitting in that rocking chair were soul healing times. I might have gone with the intention of offering encouragement, but always left with my heart full of gratitude. Thankfulness for the wisdom and kindness and example of Godly love one for another.
What do you most look forward to being absent in Heaven? I asked this question in church recently. The first response came back: ‘separation’. I knew what she meant. She was talking about the same thing I was thinking. Death.
Jesus alone is the Lord over death. It knows Him as its Lord and submits to Him alone. So I have had to learn to look to Him right now. To take my eyes off the chaos and trouble and sorrow of this world and place them on HIM.
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
One who did what needed to be done, one who stopped and gave to the Lord what she could. Mrs. Hortman was just the right mix of the two.
She has now looked into the face of Jesus. She has bowed and given her heartfelt Hallelujah. So let’s consider this Jesus for a moment.
He is described in both old and New Testament writings. He is said to be the Ancient of Days, the Everlasting Father. John’s vision describes His appearing by pointing out His hair, white like wool; His eyes like flames of fire. His voice like the roar of many waters. Yet Philippians tells us He didn't see equality with God as something to be held onto so He emptied Himself as a sacrifice for you and me!
Revelation 19:11–16 (ESV)
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
Folks, the Jesus who welcomed Mrs Hortman to glory will one day come back to this earth as the conquering King! For you and I to put our faith and trust in Him is the best thing we can do.