June 17, 1927 - April 30, 2024
Jane Ritter Hornsby, 96, of Loveland, CO passed away on April 30, 2024. She was born to John C. and Helen Jessup Ritter in New Castle, Colorado on June 17, 1927 and was part of the Ritter Legacy of that region. Jane’s idyllic upbringing included helping her grandfather and father run Ritter General Store, and camping and playing along Elk Creek and the White River. Jane loved the outdoors and many tomboy activities. She even earned her pilot’s license at the age of 19.
After finishing high school at Stephens College, Jane completed her bachelor’s degree at Colorado A&M University (now Colorado State University). While there, she was active in campus life, president of the Beta Iota chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta, officer of the sophomore class, and elected to the Homecoming Court. Immediately following college graduation, Jane left for a teaching opportunity in Great Falls, Montana,
While teaching, she met Jim Hornsby; and they were married in 1950, which began a 67-year adventure that included many residences and six children!
Jim’s career led the couple across the map; spending years in New Orleans and Houston, and then to the Colorado mountains for retirement. The couple spent ten happy years in Redstone, before settling in Loveland.
Jane will be remembered for her zest for life, fondness of social gatherings, stories of the Western Slope, and constant longing for another fun adventure. She is preceded in death by her husband Jim, her sister Mary Ellen, and her brother Clay. Jane is survived by son Jimmy (Adele); daughter Gail Wolf; son David (Heather); daughter Liz Galligan (Brian); daughter Amy Smith (Guy); and son Chris (Jen); 17 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 on Friday, May 17 at All Saints Episcopal Church, Loveland, CO. An internment will follow in her home town of New Castle.
