Myrtle Horihan, age 93, passed into the arms of her Savior on Thursday, November 22, 2018, due to congestive heart failure. Her beloved children and grandchildren held her hands and surrounded her with hymns and carols during her last hours.
Myrtle was born to Oscar and Alice Jameson in Spring Grove, Minn., on June 18, 1925. She grew up in the Yucatan area, attended elementary school in Rooster Valley, and graduated from Houston High School. After obtaining her teaching degree at Winona State Teachers College, she taught at the Kelly Country School.
She married J. Francis Horihan on July 21, 1945, and they farmed on Irish Ridge north of Mabel. Her faith and her family were the most important things in her life. She adored her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and lived for their visits over coffee and a cookie (or three) after church and for their large, noisy and fun family gatherings. She loved to cook for her large family and anyone else who happened by. There was a lot of laughter wherever Myrtle went.
Myrtle was involved in many activities. She was a founding member of St. Olaf Catholic Church in Mabel, was the librarian in Mabel and loved getting her hands in the dirt. She was a farmer at heart and loved tending her flowers and gardens, watching the birds and squirrels, and enjoying all of nature.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Fran, her parents, her sister Helen, and twin grandchildren, Nathan and Alice. She is survived by her children: Sharon Frankovich, Fred (Trudy) Horihan, Jim (Carrie) Horihan, Dale (Julie) Horihan, and JoAnn (Randy) Whitney, 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Her heartbeat goes on in her beloved family.
Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Thursday, November 29, 2018, at the St. Olaf Catholic Church in Mabel, with Father Stephen Abaukaka officiating. Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Cemetery in rural Mabel. Visitation will be 4–7 p.m. Wednesday, November 28 at the St. Olaf Catholic Church in Mabel and one hour prior to services at the church. The Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel is assisting with arrangements.