Nitha Ernestine Fisher Horn, age 94 went home to be with her Lord on January 23, 2015 at her son’s home in Winnemucca, NV after a 3 year battle with cancer.
Nitha was born on October 18, 1920 in her grandmother’s house south of Abbott, New Mexico. She lost her mother, Nitha Gay Klipstine Fisher during her birth. Her father, Flake Fisher later married Marie Smith Fisher. Nitha grew up in a farming and ranching community with her younger siblings, 2 brothers and a much younger sister. She graduated twelfth grade from Newton School in Colfax County, NM. One of her best friends during high school, Dale Horn (Jordan) later became her sister-in-law.
Despite the dust bowl days and the depression Nitha was very active in 4-H ultimately taking first place in the International Harvesters Hay and Grain Show of 1938 in Chicago, IL with her canning project. Her marriage to O M (Meb) Horn had to be delayed a few months in order to qualify for the Chicago 4H trip in November. After their marriage on December 23, 1938 friends planned a chivaree during which they stole a friend’s car. Their freedom was short-lived as the car ran out of gas. Eventually friends were given treats of Mexican cigars and red hots.
Nitha and Meb made their living farming and ranching for the next 63 years in northeastern New Mexico except for a brief time in TX and ID. The 34 years of their marriage was spent on a place of their own east of Wagon Mound, NM in the breaks of the Canadian River. Nitha was known for her ranch cooking and bread making skills which provided dinner rolls for many church and community meals. Her sewing skills kept Meb and other family members in western shirts. Quilts were lovingly made for many family members and friends. She has been the other Grandma for many, many children. After Meb’s death in 2001 Nitha made her home with her son, Dean and his wife Linda, first in Soda Springs, ID and then in Winnemucca, NV.
Nitha is survived by her 3 children; Jerry Horn, Patsy (Larry) Moon, and Dean (Linda) Horn; 9 grandchildren, and many great, great-great, and at least one great-great-great grandchild; her younger sister Ruby Jane Blackmon and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding Nitha in death were her husband Meb, her parents and step-mother, 2 brothers Flake Leroy Fisher and Dale Dean Fisher, 1 daughter-in-law Mary Horn, 1 granddaughter and 2 grand son-in-laws.
Services will be on Wednesday February 4, 2015 11:00 am at First Baptist Church, Roy, NM. There will be a viewing at the church from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Interment will be immediately following at the Roy Cemetery.
Arrangements are with Yaksich-Long Funeral Home, Raton, NM – 575-445-2622.
Memorial donations may be made in Nitha’s name to Humboldt Volunteer Hospice, PO Box 843, Winnemucca, NV 89446; First Baptist Church, PO Box 40, Roy, NM 87743; or New Mexico Baptist Children’s Home, 2200 South Avenue I, Portales, NM 88130 publicrelation@nmbch.com
Nitha Horn leaves a legacy of love.
