Adair Lunette Horgen (Phelps) of Saint Paul, Minnesota, passed away on February 23, 2023. She was surrounded by her loving family in the days before, at the time of her death and in the hours following. She was 98 years old.
Adair was born on August 19, 1924, to Everett and Mily (Krieg) Phelps in Northfield, Minnesota. She grew up there with her two older brothers Dean and Leland. She attended grade school in Northfield where she made life-long friends. She graduated from West High School in Minneapolis and went on to study music and education at the University of Minnesota. After graduating in 1945, Adair taught music and science in Stewartville, Boyd, and Bemidji, Minnesota.
While teaching in Boyd, she met and fell in love with her husband of 59 years, Milton James Horgen. She claimed that it was love at first sight, and they married on May 31, 1950. Shortly after marrying, they moved to California for a new adventure. They made their home in Redlands where they welcomed their daughter Gwen Louise.
After moving to California, Adair changed careers and became a social worker at the Department of Public Social Services for San Bernardino County. She worked there for 24 years and is credited among other things with establishing a county-wide Nutrition for Seniors program in 1951. Adair retired in 1977.
In 1990, Adair and Milton continued looking for new adventures and moved to Alamogordo, New Mexico, where they enjoyed living on a golf course and watching players try to make putts on the green just outside their backyard. In 1994, they moved to Alexandria, MN, where they enjoyed entertaining at their home on Lake Victoria. Milt was the captain of their pontoon boat, and Adair was the crew! In 1998, they moved to Morris to be near their daughter Gwen and family.
Adair enjoyed playing bridge and pinochle, golfing, and having fun with friends. Most of all, she loved her family. When her grandchildren each turned 13, she treated them to a special present. For two, the present was a trip. For one, it was a grand piano!
Music was a tremendous part of Adair’s entire life. She performed, directed community choirs and bands, and participated in community theater wherever she lived. She was especially proud of the “Adair, Della, and Friends” musical reviews that she led in Morris, Minnesota, with proceeds supporting music for students in the area. Adair was happy when she was making music, happier when sharing it with others, and happiest when the crowd was big and the performers many!
Adair was predeceased by husband Milton (died January 11, 2009), infant son (1952), infant great-grandson Miles Dean Grussing (2018), her parents, brothers, sisters-in-law, and other dear family members and friends. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Gwen and Steve Rudney; grandchildren Paul (Will) Wright, Cara (Jake) Grussing, and Phil (Kelly) Rudney; great grandchildren Jonah and Norah Grussing and Caleb and Jack Rudney; and other cherished loved ones.
Services will be held at Saint Paul’s United Church of Christ (900 Summit Ave Saint Paul Minnesota) on Thursday March 16th at 11am with visitation at 10am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to organizations that support music for young people or other organizations of the donor’s choosing.
