Dorothy Mae Horton

Dorothy Mae Horton, age 92, died Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at Morton County Senior Living Community in Elkhart, Kansas. She was born May 1, 1928, in Waynoka, Oklahoma, the daughter of Thomas R. Sr., and Margarett (Riley) Gillespie.

At a young age, Dorothy’s family relocated to Elkhart, Kansas, where she would eventually raise her own family. Dorothy attended primary and secondary school in Elkhart, graduating from Elkhart High School in 1946. She married Thomas F. “Fred” Horton on December 20, 1947 in Elkhart. Together they lived in Oakland, California, while Fred was stationed at Alameda Naval Base during the Korean War. Upon Fred’s discharge from the Navy, they returned to Elkhart to begin building their family farm. Dorothy worked with her husband on the farm, driving truck and keeping books. She also had a full-time job at the FSA office, where she became a beloved member of the farming community. Dorothy worked for the FSA for over 50 years, until her retirement in 2011. She was a long-time member of the Morton County Democrats, active as both a party member and an officer over the years. Dorothy was also an active member of the Kansas Wheat Growers Association.

Dorothy is survived by her son, Kenneth F. Horton and wife Peggy of Elkhart; grandchildren, Amy Horton of Elkhart, Stacie Lynne Adams and husband Steve of Lecompton, Kansas, Thomas F. Horton and wife Liz of Bellevue, Nebraska, James Horton and fiancé Shayna Bryan of Long Island City, New York; great-grandchildren, Alphie Adams, Grayson Adams, Abbie Horton, Mae Horton, and Drew Horton.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Fred; and brother, Thomas R. Gillespie, Jr.

A private family service was held at Elkhart Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Whistle Stop Park in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.