Catherine Ethel Hornbach

Catherine Ethel Hornbach passed away peacefully on February 1, 2024 surrounded by family and friends. Catherine was born on September 26, 1942, in Medford, Oregon to Spencer and Charlotte Bower. She was a loving wife to Oskar Hornbach; they were married 53 years before Oskar passed in 2017. She is survived by her children Erich (Jane) Hornbach, Christina (Mike) Norman, Cara Hornbach; her brother, Bruce (Christine Altese) Bower; her sister, Virginia Bower; and six grandchildren. Catherine graduated from J. W. Sexton High School and received a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Michigan State University. Catherine was highly involved in serving her church and community. She was a long-time member of All Saints Episcopal Church and a sustaining member of the Junior League of Lansing. She enjoyed antiquing, gardening, reading historical fiction, and spending time with her family and grandchildren. Catherine was a spirited, creative woman who loved to find beauty in all things. After her studies at Michigan State University, she started her career as an interior designer for J. L. Hudson Company (“Hudsons”) in downtown Detroit. Catherine fondly reminisced about her younger years in Detroit with Oskar as newlyweds and her team’s work designing for Motown artists.

She returned home to Lansing to raise a family. She loved being a mother and staying home when the children were young. Catherine was always on the go, volunteering at school, and constantly renovating and decorating her home. Catherine loved interior design and eventually started her own business doing residential interior design, Catherine Hornbach Interior Design. In addition, she provided professional interior design services in the commercial sector (Commercial Design Associates). She was well known for her zany and jubilant personality which carried through to her design style. Catherine’s faith, warm heart, and inner light guided all of her interactions.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to All Saints Episcopal Church for the Memorial Fund.