Shirley Horn

Shirley Horn

Shirley Rae Gunson Horn passed from this life; given back her speech, reason and control of her limbs robbed by dementia and restored by the grace of her Savior.  On July 11, 1934 Shirley followed her older sister into this life, but became the oldest child in her family at Dawn’s childhood passing. This loss to the Gunson family was not in vain, but convinced her mother Ethel Louise Wilde Gunson to bring her children and husband John Theodore Gunson back to her pioneer heritage in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  As a student at Mount Sac College, Shirley met Walter Victor Horn Jr. who would become her eternal companion once she introduced him to the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Linking her ancestors and her posterity, they were sealed, as were her parents, in the Los Angeles Temple in 1956. Together, Shirley and Walter completed college in California and went on to live, work, raise their family and make friends through their church callings and life-long service to others in: Illinois, California, Canada, Arkansas, Washington, Delaware, Tennessee and Missouri.  Their service in the St. Louis Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was her dearest memory.

The word “meticulous” best describes Shirley.  She lived in meticulous obedience to God’s commandments.  Her home was meticulously maintained, usually late at night, as she juggled work as a school secretary by day and family and church activities every evening and weekend. Her meticulous nature kept her on this earth until every last life she could lift was lifted and everyone on the other side was prepared to receive her.

Shirley and Walter saw their beloved daughter-in-law Debbie Horn Wilkinson (Bill) lose her eternal companion, their oldest son, Scott Vincent Horn and cheered her on as she finished raising 5 of their grandchildren Courtney Henry (Casey), Ashley Smith (Jeff), Ryan Horn (Chelsey), Lindsey Horn and Kelsey Carter (Zac).  Not many years later they saw their daughter Kimberly Dawn Irwin lose her eternal companion Randall Irwin and stood back in awe as she too finished raising four more of their grandchildren Paige Irwin, Paul Irwin (Aubrey), Perri Irwin and Parker Irwin (Emily).  Now she understood the words from her patriarchal blessing, “to comfort the fatherless”. After losing Walter, Shirley finished her last 6 years of life in Utah, changing the life of her youngest son Kevin Douglas Horn (Diane) and her other 3 grand children, Whitney Lynch (Tyler), Taylor Dewey Horn and Dallas Horn.  Shirley’s brother Clark Gunson (Joanne) preceded her in death and she is survived by her brother Roger Gunson (Maureen) and 15 great grandchildren.

Shirley will be interred in Bountiful, Utah next to her dear husband.  The family will gather on May 23rd for a memorial and celebration, travel permitting.

Our family thanks the loving staff, her neighbors and the branch at Barton Creek assisted living, and Envision and Elevated hospice care. Care entrusted to Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary.