Frances Horton

Frances L. Horton, age 89, of Pine River, passed away Thursday, January 17, 2013, at Good Samaritan Society, Pine River. She was born November 29, 1923, to Selmer and Laura Halvorson at her Grandma Halvorson's farm near Starbuck, MN.

Fran attended a one-room country school for 8 years before graduating from Felton Consolidated High School in 1942. She went on to graduate from St. John's School of Nursing in Fargo, ND, in 1944, then the Mayo Clinic Physical Therapy School in 1951. She enjoyed her nursing and physical therapy career. Fran married E.T. Horton on December 3, 1951, and they were blessed with two sons. After her husband's disability retirement, they moved to Crosslake and Fran continued her work in physical therapy at Good Samaritan Homes in Brainerd for nine years, and also as a caregiver to her son, John, who was handicapped in a water accident, and her husband following his stroke. She worked with the Crosslake Ambulance and was also active in the Mid-Minnesota Women's Shelter, Legion Post 500 Auxiliary and Color Guard, Immaculate Heart Church Choir and Befrienders, Crosslake Lutheran Church Stephen Ministry and Crosslake Historical Society. Fran was a Grief Group Coordinator, an honorary member of Whitefish Sno Goers since their inception and was also chosen as Crosslake Woman of the Year. One of her most enjoyable activities was with Pam and Kevin's Friday "Grubbers" group at Uppgaard Sanctuary in Crosslake.

Fran is survived by her son, Thomas Horton and daughter-in-law, Edna, of West Hills, CA; son, John Horton of Brainerd; brother, Warren Halvorson of Las Vegas, NV; grandsons, Keith Horton, Jesse Horton, Robert Horton; granddaughter, Kassandra Horton; and dear friend and caregiver, Michelle Becker of Crosslake.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, E.T., in 1987.

Services will be 11 AM on Wednesday, January 23, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Pine River, with Father Bruce Engen officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Pinewood Cemetery, Crosslake.