Rita Cecilia Van Horn, 69

Rita Cecilia Eckels was born in Evansville, Ind., on July 24, 1952, to her parents Calvin W. Eckels Sr. and Maryellen Eckels, both deceased. Rita peacefully passed away on Sunday, April 10, surrounded by family after a courageous, hard fought, three-year battle with cancer.

Rita, her brother, Calvin Eckels Jr., along with three sisters, Sandy, Suzanne, and Crystal, lived for a time in Evansville, Ind.. The family then moved to Ojai, Calif., where the Eckels children grew up.

Rita has always had a love affair with animals, especially horses and dogs. She started raising and showing German Shepherds and she loved going to dog shows in the southern California area.

Rita and her husband Dwight Van Horn were married in Saugus, Calif., on Oct. 7, 2000. They moved to Hayden, Idaho in July 2001. Rita switched from showing and breeding German Shepherds to showing and breeding Cardigan Welsh Corgis. She had great success with her Corgis especially “Mr. Higgins” who achieved Grand Champion status in both the American and Canadian Kennel Clubs. Higgins went on to sire MANY AKC and CKC Champions and Grand Champions. Three of his Champion dogs, Baron, Asti, and Chocolate still live with Dwight.

Rita is survived by her husband of 21+ years, Dwight Van Horn; her brother, Calvin Eckels Jr. and his wife Krystal of Dalton Gardens, Idaho; sisters: Crystal Davis and Sandra Eckels of Ventura County, Calif. Rita’s younger sister Suzanne Jones preceded her in death. Rita has two children from a previous marriage, Eilene Montgomerie who lives in Spokane, Wash., and Curt Fischer Jr. of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; three grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.

Rita is a benefactor life member of the National Rifle Association, life member of the California Rifle and Pistol Association, and an annual member of the Idaho State Rifle and Pistol Association, former secretary of the cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America and a former secretary of the Kootenai County Republican Women, Federated and former member of the Lakes Country Friends of NRA Committee.

Rita and Dwight want to especially thank the staff at Beacon Cancer Care and Hospice of North Idaho for their professional and compassionate care.

Services will be private. Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit Rita’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com