Joanne Horst

Applique queen of quilting, baker, and reader died 8 August 2026 in Aurora, Arapahoe County, Colorado at home as she wanted; with family nearby who tended to her needs in her last few days.

Joanne (nee: Grover) Horst was born to Dorothy (nee: Pembleton) Grover and Wesley “Billy” Stoten Grover Sr 19 June 1933 in Orange Co., New Jersey. Joanne lived in New Jersey until she met and married (1950) a man in the military, Emil Frank Smejkal Jr., and found herself traveling along with him – residing first in Virginia where two children would be born, then it was off to Germany where two more children were born, then off to South Carolina where, yes, two more children were born, and then lastly to Colorado where, surprise, three more children were born. Yup, that’s nine children all together.

Joanne and her husband “Frank” would soon part ways. Soon Joanne would marry a real ‘cowboy’ of a man (1974); she was ever so happy. Joanne would say that they were two were ‘peas in a pod’. Russell “Russ” Leonard Horst was the one true love of her life; they were married for over 18 years before his passing in April of 1992, she said, when Russ died, they broke the mold, there isn’t another man like him.

Joanne lived out the rest of her life, after Russ’ death, with her daughter Vickie, granddaughter Jewel, and three great grandchildren Abygale, Malachi, and Nathaniel; she loved her family, all of her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren, even the ones she rarely saw – her family is spread out all over the U.S.

Joanne was known for being sharp as a tack, even up to her death. She loved flowers. Every spring she would sit down at the kitchen table and meticulously plan her garden. She had a talent for mixing and choosing which flowers would look best together and then plant them in the large barrel pots that always sat in her front yard. Those pots were always beautiful. She loved to read. A day did not go by that she wasn’t sitting at the kitchen table reading, and sometimes it was her second book of the day. She read everything – that is how she kept her mind going and enlightened.

If reading weren’t enough, she was quilting – making quilts for family – for children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and for dear friends; she loved her friends. Joanne made quilts tailored to the person she had in mind when making the quilts. She would take perfectly good fabric, cut it all up into strips, squares, and a variety of shapes and then put them all back together onto a large square, and then arrange the squares into a lovely looking mosaic of fabric called a quilt – be it a runner, wall hanging, lap quilt, or a bed quilt.

And if reading and quilting weren’t the be all end all, she would spend hours in the kitchen not only cooking, but baking; you haven’t lived until you’ve had one of her yummy melt in your mouth sticky buns, something she would make for Thanksgiving and Christmas to hold off starving family members waiting for the turkey, ham, or pork roast to cook for the late afternoon dinner. Our dining room tables (2) were surrounded by family members and friends, especially during Thanksgiving. Oh, and the desserts, there was no end to the desserts – several choices of cakes and pies to choose from. If you left her table hungry, it was your own fault. And She always made sure there were ‘to-go’ boxes available to take home the leftovers. You went away fed and loaded with food to go. Joanne was at her happiest in the kitchen.

And last, but certainly not least, Joanne was a loyal and true friend to those who had the privilege of really knowing her. She cherished her friends and always treated them like family. She was never judgmental and accepted you for who you were. She was the kind of friend that you could confide in and never worry that your conversation would be repeated.

Joanne showed and shared her love through quilting and cooking; family and friends were important to her, and it showed.

Joanne is predeceased by her parents, her husband Russell Leonard Horst, three of her sons: Craig Smejkal, Steven Smejkal, and Bari Smejkal; a sister: Jean Holden, two brothers: Gary Grover and Wesley “Billy” Stoten Grover Jr.

Joanne is survived by her sister Dorothy (nee: Grover) Neuhaus of New Jersey; children: Vickie, Wendy (Fred dec’d), Christopher, Bonnie (Greg), Keith (Let), Kevin (Erin); numerous grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

Joanne wished to be cremated and have her ashes scattered in the mountains along with that of her husband’s. Family members hope in the near future to go on a picnic or camping trip to fulfill her wish.

Written 26 Aug 2026 by daughter Vickie Smejkal and family friend Jan Ratterree

Remembrances of Joanne shared by friends

I was so sorry to hear my friend Joanne Horst passed away. I met Joanne several years ago in Aurora, CO when my husband & I visited his sister Betty Abrams. Joanne & Betty were very good friends & worked together. Joanne would always go out to dinner with us when we were there. Over the years we would call each other & catch up on what was going on in our lives. I always enjoyed her company & our conversations. She was a very classy lady & will be missed by all who knew her. With deepest sympathy,  - Barb Schoon

I met Joanne many years ago when I was assigned to be her ministering sister. My companion and I visited her every month, but the visits were stiff and awkward and I never felt comfortable around her. I had known Vickie, her daughter, for many years before I met her mom, so I said to Vickie one day, “I don’t think your mom likes me.” She said, it takes mom a little time to get to know a person. Maybe you can find a common interest between the two of you. Coincidentally, there was a church dinner the following weekend and I sat at the same table as Joanne and Vickie. During the evening another lady that knew Joanne came over to the table to say hi. She said to Joanne, are you still doing your beautiful quilts? A lightbulb went on in my head. She quilts! I quilt! I had found our common interest. The rest, as they say, is history. Joanne and I spent many hours in quilt shops spending way too much money, going to lunch and just talking about what projects we were working on. We remained friends until her death. She was a tough old bird on the outside; but she was all marshmallow on the inside. I will miss her.  - Jan Ratterree