Monta Ellen (Rapp) Horning

Monta Ellen Horning, 96, died Sunday, November 10, 2019 at the Brookdale Senior Living in Wellington, KS

Visitation will be Thursday, November 14, 2019 at the Shelley Family Funeral Home in Wellington from 9:00 until 8:00 P.M., with the family receiving friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, November 15, 2019 at the Wakita United Methodist Church with burial at the Wakita Cemetery in Wakita, OK.  A memorial has been established with the Wakita Methodist Women and may be left with the Shelley Family Funeral Home, PO Box 555, 704 N. Washington, Wellington, KS 67152.

Monta Ellen Rapp was born October 25, 1923 on a farm 1 mile south of Wakita, OK to Tom and Clara Rapp. She was the 6th of seven children. After graduation from Wakita High School in 1941, she worked at Kress Variety Store in Enid, OK. In 1942 she joined the U.S. Civil Service as a mechanical draftsman, and her first assignment was at Vance Air Force Base in Enid. She was later assigned to Pampa Army Air Field in Pampa, TX, Commonwealth Aircraft in Kansas City, MO, and Waco Aircraft in Troy, OH until the end of WWII.

In December 1945, Monta married Edward Bryant Horning in Anthony, KS. Although Edward was raised on a farm only a mile from her home outside Wakita, she did not really know him until a short period of time during the war. Their first home together was in Long Beach, CA. as Edward served out the final year of his tour of duty in the U.S. Navy. Monta and Edward returned to Wakita where thy operated a dairy farm for 6 years before Edward began his 30-year employment for the Wakita School System. In 1995 they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, one year prior to Edward’s passing.

Monta devoted her life to Christ in 1950 at the age of 27. Her desire to serve the Lord never wavered as she grew in her knowledge of the teachings of the Bible striving to live a Christian life.

In addition to raising her sons Mark and Rex, Monta served joyfully and tirelessly in volunteer positions in the Wakita United Methodist Church, the community at large and Republican politics. These efforts included cooking for the Wakita Lions Club for 9 years and teaching Sunday School Classes for over 50 years. Monta was blessed with a natural talent in music and art and was known for her remarkable abilities. Her artwork hangs in many Oklahoma homes.

Monta cared deeply for her children and grandchildren and frequently traveled to visit them.  During every visit and on every phone call her standard message was “we have been so blessed”.

She is survived by her sons: Mark Horning (Liz) of Belle Plaine, KS and Rex Horning (Charlotte) of Broken Arrow, OK; 3 grandchildren: Emily Craddock (David), Meredith Andrews (Todd) and Jud Horning; 7 great grandchildren: Carson Andrews, Cooper Andrews, Anthony Fergola, Nicholas Wells, Jerushka Craddock, Chasta Craddock and Kassie Gressel.

She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends each of who have visited, cared and stayed in touch with her as if she was their mother. She was truly blessed.

Preceding her in death are her parents, husband, Edward in 1997, 3 brothers and 3 sisters. 

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