Beverly Jean (Swan) Horst, 86, of Midland passed into the loving arms of angels on Sunday, February 7, 2016. A private family Graveside service will be held at Resthaven. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, February 22, 2016, at First United Methodist Church of Midland.Beverly Jean Swan was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 11, 1929. She was the daughter of William and Viola Anderson Swan and the sister of Vivian Swan Manthe. After the tragic death of their mother, Beverly and Vivian were sent to the Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children in Owatonna, Minnesota. She would often say that rather than that time hurting her, it had made her a better and stronger person. She would often tell us “the orphanage saved my life”. As she approached her 14th year, Beverly was blessed to be fostered by Robert and Lucy Manke of St. Paul, Minnesota. She became an older sister to Bob, Rich, and Susan. In 1948, Beverly married George F. Horst of Aiken, Minnesota and they made the move to Kermit, Texas where George worked for Schlumberger. Subsequently, they moved to Snyder, Andrews, and settled in Midland. Beverly was a loving daughter of Christ and lived her faith by being an active member of St. Nicholas Episcopal Church and then First United Methodist Church of Midland, where she was a beloved member of the Homer Fort Fellowship Sunday School Class. She was a consummate bridge player and even as she lost the sight in one eye, she vowed to play as long as she could see her hand with her one good eye.Beverly was our Mother, Mother-in-Law, Gram, and our Great Gram. She was our comforter, our nurse, our teacher, and our friend. She was a great travel companion, a good and tough competitor over long Boggle, Yahtzee, and Scrabble games. She was always up for an evening of Black Jack. She liked classical music, traditional hymns, country western, and anything her granddaughter Julie Abby Green would sing. She was a wonderful cook and could make desserts we will be talking about for years to come. She liked counted cross stitching, lovingly making our first Christmas sock for all of us, jigsaw puzzles, pigs, birds, and lily of the valley flowers.She had the best of laughs. It was infectious and we all reveled in hearing it. She loved us. We will miss her for all of our days. We will strive to honor her and her love and faith in us with every step we take. We will hear her voice in the songs of nature. When we are sad and low we will find her there. In the glory of the dawning day, in the cool breezes of mountain pines, in the soft tones of morning birds, and in the stars of the evening sky. It is a comfort to know we will find her and Pop walking with us, their enduring love guiding our way.Beverly was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George; her parents; her foster parents; her sister, Susan Miller; her sister-in-law, Carole Manke; and her special son-in-law, Ken Dolloff.Beverly is survived by her sister, Vivian Manthe (Don); brothers, Rich Manke and Robert Manke (Margie); children, Steve Horst (Veronyca) of Austin, Jim Horst (Deb) of Estes Park, Colorado, Nancy Turner (Steve) of Ruidoso, New Mexico; and Jill Dolloff of Midland; grandchildren, Jennifer VanGorden (Marty), Julie Abby Green, Heather Moore (Rob), John Turner (Audrey), Sarah Carroll (Chad), Christy Geis (Joe), Andy Horst, and Zachary Castanon; and 15 great-grandchildren.We would like to take this time to thank all the kind and loving staff at Scharbauer Cottage, Manor Park, and the nurses and aids of Home Hospice. Friends and church family for all the prayers lifted up.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to one of the following: Manor Park, 2208 N. Loop 250 West, Midland, Texas 79707, First United Methodist Church, 300 N. Main St., Midland, Texas 79701, or Home Hospice, 200 W. Illinois Suite 190, Midland , Texas 79701.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com. ,
