Alta Weimer

Alta  Louise (Hornberger) Weimer, age 92, of East Leroy, passed away Sunday, August 19, 2012 at Bickford Assisted Living in Battle Creek, MI. She was born January 17, 1920 in Marshall to Herman and Mary (Platz) Hornberger and was one of six children. Alta grew up on a farm in Tekonsha, Mi. where she also attended school.  She was employed by the Chicken Cannery in Tekonsha in her teen years. Alta married Lewis C. Weimer March 1, 1939 in the parsonage of Zion Lutheran Church in Marshall, Michigan.  They began their married life in the Tekonsha area renting the “Kelly Farm.”  In 1944 they purchased a farm on Wheatfield Road now known as 11-Mile Road.  Together, they developed their small farm into a successful 372 acre dairy farm.  Alta, also raised chickens and delivered eggs to several local markets and individuals. Besides the farm, Alta was a Vanda Beauty Counselor representative for 50+ years, eventually becoming a Regional Manager.  Her success with the company earned her and Lewis a trip to Hawaii.  She was very active with Harper Creek Community Schools  PTA and Band Boosters, a census taker, a long time volunteer for the Leila Auxiliary, the neighborhood food pantry, and the Sewing Guild at St. Paul Lutheran Church.  From 1981-1989, she and her daughter, Alma, owned and operated the House of Cards Hallmark store in downtown Battle Creek.  Besides community activities, Alta was most of all, a wonderful, caring mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.  After selling the farm in 1975 they moved to Gull Lake.  Alta and Lewis always celebrated holidays with large gatherings at the farm on 11-Mile Road and their home on Gull Lake during the 70’s and 80’s. They moved back to Battle Creek in 1989. Together, they loved to travel in their motor home, fish, bowl, and golf. Another of Alta’s passions was gardening.  She not only grew large vegetable and flower gardens, but was also known as the MUM lady for the beautiful display of mums lining her driveway on B Drive N.  Every year during the holidays she had a 14-16 foot Christmas tree in her front window that stopped traffic and the trolley and busses going to Binder Park Zoo.    Her diligent work from dawn to dusk put her garden in East Leroy in the Battle Creek Garden Tour in 2005.
Alta’s family was first and foremost. She was a seamstress, quilter, canner, gardener, baker, businesswoman, and a person who taught others through her example of generosity, friendship, and love.  Alta was a “lucky” person in family poker games, at the casino, and the lottery.  In 2003, she won the Cash Five lottery and proceeded to give it away to charities, church, and family. Alta was a 40 plus year member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Battle Creek and currently was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Battle Creek.
Alta was predeceased by her parents; her husband of 50 years, Lewis Weimer; sisters, Edna Bird Hafer, Loretta Schnitzler, MaryAnn Hamilton, Phyllis Stanley; and brother, Paul Hornberger.
She is survived by three daughters, Norma Sly, Irma (Thomas) Dunton of Battle Creek, Alma Weimer of East Leroy; son, Kenneth (Debra) Weimer of Ceresco; son-in-law David Sly; seven grandchildren, Debra Novar, Kelly (Mikeal) Gutsue, Stefanie (Joseph) Kinney all of Battle Creek, Douglas (Darline) Sly of Groveland, FL, Marc Dunton of Kalamazoo, Adam (Maryn) Weimer of Lewis Center, Ohio, and Jillian Weimer of Ceresco.  She is also survived by nine great grandchildren, Ryan Novar of Kalamazoo, Erika Novar, Karlee and Madison Gutsue  all of Battle Creek, Shelby and Hunter Sly of Groveland, FL,  Audreanna Dunton of Kalamazoo, Jackson and Claire Weimer of Lewis Center, Ohio, and her Yorkie dog, Sassy.
Visitation will be held on Thursday from 2-4pm and 6-8 pm at the Richard A. Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.  Services to celebrate Alta’s life will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Friday at St. Mark Lutheran Church with Pastor Maurice Shackell officiating.  Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.  A luncheon will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lewis and Alta Weimer Scholarship Fund % Kellogg Community College Foundation or St. Mark Lutheran Church.

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