Kathy Van Horn
Kathleen (Kathy) Ellis Van Horn passed away peacefully on Feb. 18, 2019, with her family by her side in Reno, Nevada. She was 61.
She is survived by her husband, Victor Van Horn, of Reno; her children Victor Van Horn Jr. (Beth) of Reno, Justin Van Horn (Talli) of Great Falls, Montana, Christine Van Horn (partner Kevin Barnes) of Reno, and Casey Van Horn of Reno; and grandchildren Hailey Krebsbach of Phoenix, Arizona, Cole Azar of Great Falls, and Chance Barnes of Reno.
She is also survived by her siblings, Thomas L. Ellis (Charlotte) of Rathdrum, Idaho, Betty Ellis (partner Larry Hill) of Spokane, Washington, Lawrence Ellis (Joan) of Washougal, Washington, Chris Ellis (Judy) of Conrad, Montana, Pat Ellis (Susan) of Bozeman, Montana, and brother-in-law Art Westwell of Dallas, Texas.
Several nieces and nephews also survive her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas H. and Helene (Whitney) Ellis; her sister Laura Westwell; and her maternal grandparents Charles and Rachel Whitney and paternal grandparents John Harry Ellis and Gertrude Loney.
She also leaves behind on her father-in-law Bill Campbell, Dutton, Montana; sister-in-law Rosemary Younce of Kuna, Idaho; brothers-in-law Carl Younce (Carla) of Cross Lake, Minnesota, David Van Horn of Dutton, Montana, Paul Van Horn of Great Falls, Joe Campbell (Cathy) of Choteau, Montana, and sister-in-law Lynne (Ben) Knobel of Conrad, Montana. She was preceded in death by her mother-in-law Vivian Campbell and brother-in-law James Younce.
Kathleen was born in Conrad, Montana, Feb. 17, 1958, and graduated from Conrad High School in 1976. She attended Montana State University where she met and married her husband, Victor Van Horn. In 1978 they and their newborn son Victor Jr. moved to Sitka, where she worked as the head administrative assistant at Sitka High School for 20 years. During those years they had two more children, Justin and Christine.
After retirement the family moved to Reno, Nevada.
Kathleen was an avid reader of murder mysteries and loved to share stories with her loved ones. She loved animals, especially cats, and adopted many during her lifetime. Kathleen was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church.
A viewing will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Conrad. Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Friday, March 1, at the church with a viewing beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will be at Hillside Cemetery.
