Sonia E. Horvath, 89, formerly of Idyllwild, died Saturday, April 16, 2005 in Klamath Falls, Ore. of natural causes.

Mrs. Horvath was born Feb. 1, 1916 in Cleveland, Ohio. She completed her education there, earning her registered nurse certificate from St. Vincent Charity Hospital on Sept. 3, 1943. She enjoyed working as a registered nurse until March 17, 1946, when she married Daniel Horvath and moved to Idyllwild where the couple raised their two daughters and operated the Idyllwild Chevron station for more than 20 years.

In 1968, the couple retired to Oceanside until 2002 when Mrs. Horvath moved to Klamath Falls, Ore. to be near her daughters.

She was a lifelong member of the Catholic church, sang in the San Luis Rey Mission Choir and was an active member of the Catholic Daughters. Additionally, Mrs. Horvath was instrumental in the creation of the Idyllwild Elementary School Library and authored several children’s books, some of which she read to the Klamath Elementary students under the smARTS program.

Mrs. Horvath was devoted to her family and excelled as a homemaker and creative cook. She was also an avid knitter, reader, traveler and life-long learner.

She is survived by two daughters, Louisa Wistos of Alturas and Martha Waardenburg of Klamath Falls, Oregon; three grandchildren; and one great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Jovick.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 19 at the Mission San Luis Rey Chapel, 4050 Mission Ave., followed by interment at Eternal Hills Memorial Park, 1999 El Camino Real, both in Oceanside.