United States High School Yearbooks by County
HORSTING
Ruth J. Horsting
Ruth Johnson Horsting, or "Ma Renu" as she was affectionately known to friends and fellow yoga students around the world, died at home in Bonny Doon on Nov. 26, 2000, at age 81.
Born in Chicago on Jan. 18, 1919, she was educated at Northwestern University, earning her bachelor of arts (Phi Beta Kappa) in English literature in 1940. After studying painting and sculpture at the Chicago Art Institute from 1946 to 1950, she became a professional artist, and later returned to Northwestern University, where she received a master's of fine arts in 1959. Before leaving Chicago, she won the Pauline Palmer award for her work in sculpture, the Chicago Art Institute Alumni Prize.
In 1959, she moved to California and joined the faculty at UC Davis. She was an accomplished artist, both a sculptor and printmaker, who helped build the internationally renowned UCD art department. Along with Robert Arneson, Wayne Thiebaud, Roy De Forest, Dan Shapiro, Roland Petersen, William Wiley, Manuel Neri and many great visiting artists, she focused the art world's attention on Northern California. She exhibited in both group and one-woman shows in Chicago, New York, Arizona State University, University of California and Sacramento's Crocker Museum. She co-authored, "History of Fashions" published by John Wiley and sons in 1970.
After the death of her son William in 1971, she took early retirement from the university to devote herself fully to the study of Ashtanga yoga. She became the American sponsor of silent yoga master Baba Hari Dass, and the editor of several of his books, including "Silence Speaks, " "Fire Without Fuel" and "The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali."
She was founder and president of Sri Rama Foundation, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to supporting orphaned children in India. She was one of the original founders and contributors of the Mount Madonna Center in Watsonville. She traveled tirelessly to India, eventually establishing a children's home and school, as well as a free medical clinic in rural India. The home houses 50 orphaned or destitute children. The school educates more than 250 village students who otherwise would have no educational opportunity. The medical clinic, which provides preventative care and medical treatment to all in need, is the only facility available in a 50-kilometer radius.
She shared her study and understanding of Ashtanga yoga with students all over the world. She will be deeply missed by her family, by the children and staff in India, and by members of the Hanuman Fellowship, Mount Madonna Center and Pacific Cultural Center (all in California), Salt Spring Center and Ashtanga Yoga Fellowship (both in Canada) and students in Japan and Mexico where she traveled to teach and practice.
She is survived by her devoted son, Walter Horsting of Sacramento, loving daughter, Archana Horsting Harper and son-in-law, Gregory Lee Harper of Emeryville, and granddaughters, Juleah Horsting and Gwendolyn Anjali Harper.
The family wants to thank Ruth Horsting's caregivers for the priceless love offered. A memorial service will begin at 9 a.m. at Mount Madonna Center at 445 Summit Road in Watsonville on Saturday, Dec. 9. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Sri Rama Foundation Orphanage, c/o PO Box 2550, Santa Cruz, CA 95063.
HORTON
Florence Virginia Horton
Florence Virginia Horton died early Sept. 28, 2004, after a lengthy illness. She was 78.
At her request, no funeral service will be held. Instead, friends are invited to a celebration of her life at 2 p.m. Saturday at Pole Line Road Baptist Church, 770 Pole Line Road.
Born to Newton and Peggy Hillyer on May 16, 1926, in Los Angeles, she grew up in North Hollywood, where she met her husband of 57 years, Chet Horton.
Her two brothers brought her future husband home with them for a Thanksgiving holiday leave during World War II.
After they married on Feb. 23, 1946, the newlyweds spent a few years in Wilmington, Mass., where their first child, Linda, was born. Returning to California, they became the parents of Charlie and Susie, and settled for 45 years in a little town in Southern California called Somis. Together, the Hortons built a home for their family that is still the pride of North Street.
They moved from Somis to Sebastapol, where they lived for several years, followed by a move to Davis in April 2002 to be near family.
Her family describes her as being a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was also an accomplished artist. Her paintings and watercolors are cherished by family and friends.
She held one-person art shows in Southern California and illustrated a book, "The Legend of Juel the Wishing Tree." The moral of this book was, "think of others rather than yourself and the reward will ultimately be yours, " which is how the family describes how she lived.
She will be remembered for her strong Christian faith and her compassion for others. She was also a musician, gardener, fisherwoman, birdwatcher, craftsperson and an all-around nature lover.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Chet, in December 2003.
She is survived by her children and their spouses, Linda Stowe and her husband Steve of Burlington, Ky.; Charlie Horton and his wife Ann of Boulder Creek; and Susie Quinn and her husband Pat of Davis.
She is also survived by her brothers and their spouses, Nat Hillyer and his wife Betty of Burbank, and Dick Hillyer and his wife Dorothy of Chatsworth.
She will be missed by her grandchildren, Shannon Stowe of Palo Alto; Ryan Stowe of Portland, Ore.; Brandon Stowe of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Erin Brouse of Sonora; Kelly Quinn of Berkeley; Joey Leishman of San Jose; and Peter Horton and Rosemary Horton of Boulder Creek; and great-granddaughter Cheyenne Virginia Brouse of Sonora.
Arrangements are under the direction of Davis Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Yolo Hospice, P.O. Box 1014, Davis, CA 9617.
HOSKING
Esther M. Hosking
Esther M. Hosking of Davis died Feb. 4, 2004. Born Nov. 10, 1912, in Madera to Thomas and Ora Bradley, she was 91 years old.
"She was a very loving and fun person and will be greatly missed by all, " her family says.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 25 years, the Rev. G.C. Hosking.
She is survived by her daughter, Linda Lee Irish, and grandson, Garfield Irish, both of Davis; and brother, Lester Bradley and his wife Miller of Oregon.
A private graveside service is planned in Davis.
Remembrances in her name may be made to Yolo Hospice, P.O. Box 1014, Davis, CA 95617.
HOSLEY
C. Thomas Hosley
C. Thomas Hosley, a school administrator for more than 50 years, died Oct. 12, 2003, at the University Retirement Community in Davis from the effects of a stroke suffered in August. He was 80.
Born Nov. 30, 1922, near Klamath Falls, Ore., he was a student at San Jose State University when World War II broke out. He left for officer's candidate school, eventually becoming a lieutenant junior grade aboard the U.S. Navy minesweeper YMS 51, which saw action near the Philippines, Korea, China and Japan.
After receiving his bachelor's degree in music at San Jose State, he began teaching music in 1946. He was named the first principal of Hillview School in Los Altos at age 26 -- starting a string of opening new educational facilities that lasted throughout his career.
He went on to earn his master's degree and doctorate in education from Stanford University. In 1958 he became the first principal of Atwater High School in Merced County. In 1961 he became superintendent of schools for the Paso Robles Unified School District. Starting in 1964, he simultaneously served as interim superintendent of the newly formed Cuesta Community College District in San Luis Obispo County.
In 1966 he became the assistant superintendent-vice president of the new Solano Community College District, a position he held until retiring in 1983. He played a key role in the building of the district's new campus when it moved from a former junior high school in Vallejo to a more central location off Interstate 80, near Fairfield.
An accomplished brass player, he started on the cornet in school and continued to perform in the U.S. Navy, in the San Jose State Marching Band and in an assortment of ensembles and orchestras. His greatest love was the French horn, which he played with the San Jose Symphony, Mare Island Band, Martinez Band and the Solano College Band. He continued to play the instrument with the Yolo County Concert Band and the UC Davis Concert Band until he was hospitalized in August.
He was a charter member of the Camel Barn Museum in Benicia and served as president of its board of directors. He was also a docent at the museum and volunteered as the photo archivist, which complemented his own interests as an amateur photographer.
He was commodore of Vallejo Yacht club and, on his boat Snowflake, sailed throughout the San Francisco Bay and Delta regions and up and down the coast of California, including a voyage to the San Juan Islands in Canada. He was also the yacht club historian for 17 years. Articles he wrote about the club and the history of Benicia were published in local historical journals.
At the University Retirement Community in Davis he served as vice president of the resident's council and enjoyed being an active member of the URC golf group, which played weekly at Davis Municipal Golf Course.
He is survived by his wife Virginia Hosley of Davis, whom he met in college and married in San Francisco in 1944. He is also survived by his brother, J. Edward Hosley of Mercer Island, Wash.; children Charlotte Backstedt of El Cajon, David Hosley of El Macero, James Hosley of Arcata and Paul Hosley of Davis, and their spouses; 11 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
In lieu of flowers and cards, friends and family may make contributions to the Hosley Family Scholarship Fund c/o the Solano College Educational Foundation, 4000 Suisun Valley Road, Suisun, CA. 94585.
HOSMAN
Irene Lydia (Polzin) Hosman
Irene Lydia (Polzin) Hosman died at home in Esparto Friday, Aug. 30, 2002, at age 93.
Born Oct. 23, 1908, in Netawaka, Kan., Mrs. Hosman was a well-known pianist in the Napa area.
Mrs. Hosman is survived by her husband, Harold W. Hosman of Esparto; daughters, Judith Winger of Napa, and Victoria Myers and husband T. Marshall of Esparto; son, H. Wayne Hosman Jr. of South Lake Tahoe; sister, Clara Wright of Nampa, Idaho; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Respecting the wishes of Mrs. Hosman no services are scheduled.
The family requests memorials be directed to Yolo Hospice, P.O. Box 1014, Davis, 95616; or the charity of the donor's choice.
McNary's Chapel of Woodland is assisting the family with arrangements.
HOUK Sr.
Williard B. Houk Sr.
Willard B. Houk Sr., a former longtime resident of Davis, died Jan. 9, 2001, at Parkview Hospital in New Haven. Born Dec. 21, 1912, in Auburn, Ind., to Charles Houk and Ethyl Bauserman, he was 88.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Donna Houk, who died in 1984. He is survived by his second wife, Marcile "Marcie" (Crabill-Edwards) Houk.
He was a member of the Antioch Lutheran Church and the former owner/operator of H&C Shoe Store in Davis.
In addition to his wife, he is also survived by his daughters, Debbie Kennedy of Davis and Laurel Magerowski of Boston, Mass.; his sons, Dan Houk of Davis and Williard B. Houk Jr. of Sacramento; stepdaughter, Tina Stephenson of Monroeville, Ind.; stepson, Tony Bradtmueller of Hoagland, Ind; and three grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, as well as a stepdaughter, Diana Bradtmueller in 1995; two brothers, John and James Houk and two sisters, HettieAnn Flora and Margaret Nagel.
Services will be Friday at the Antioch Lutheran Church, Hoagland. Special military services will be Friday by the Monroeville VFW and American Legion Posts in the Anthioch Lutheran Church, Hoagland. Visitation will be between 4 and 7 p.m. Thursday at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home Jacobs Chapel, Monroeville, Ind. He will be buried
at Davis Cemetery in Davis.
HOUSER
Clotilda R. Houser
Clotilda Rose Houser died Jan. 1, 2001, in the Alderson's Convalescent Hospital. Born June 1, 1905, in Veseyville, N.D., to George and Mary Barta, she was 95.
She was a resident of Yolo County for 15 years. She was a homemaker all of her adult life.
She is survived by her daughters, Connie Dunn and Gloria Parker, both of Woodland; Alma Johnson of Santa Cruz and Rosalie Andrews of Clifton, Va. She is also survived by her son, Lauren Kotaska of Elk Grove; her brother, Evarist Barta of Pisek, N.D.; as well as 16 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Bert J. Kotaska, in 1951, and her second husband, Adolph Houser in 1965, as well as eight brothers and three sisters.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at McNary's Chapel in Woodland with a graveside service at 2 p.m. at Monument Hill Memorial Park. McNary's Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
