Roger Horning

Funeral services for Roger Horning, of Chokio, Minnesota, will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chokio with Father John Paul Knopik serving as celebrant for the service.  Visitation will be on Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 at St. Mary's Catholic Church; visitation will continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday.   Burial will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Chokio.

Roger Orville Horning was born on November 13, 1934 to Orville and Lillian (Berg) Horning in Graceville, Minnesota.  He was raised on the family farm 10 miles northwest of Chokio.  He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Johnson.  Roger attended country school, the Johnson parochial school and then Chokio High School, graduating with the class of 1952.  Following his schooling, Roger continued to farm.  He would spend some time roller skating at the Old Armory in Morris, and one night, he met Nancy Holme.  They began dating and on June 4, 1955, the two were married at the Assumption Catholic Church in Morris.  They lived on their farm in Eldorado Township, farming the land and raising beef cattle.  In 1984, they moved to their new house in Chokio.

Roger was a member of St. Mary’s Church, where he served on St. Mary’s Parish Council and St. Mary’s Choir.  He also served on the boards of: Chokio-Alberta School Board, NFO, West Central Cattleman’s Association and was a Knights of Columbus. Roger had many hobbies, a few would include: farming, golfing, fishing, pool, ping-pong, snowmobiling, and fishing – spear and ice!  Roger would never pass up a game of cards – especially Euchre.  He was also a devoted sports fan – Minnesota sports – the Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves, and Gophers, he watched them all.  To describe him simply: Family, faithful, strong work ethic, great sense of humor, and a man of character.

Roger was a wonderful craftsman, he made several wood clocks and shelves that were gifted to his family and friends.  He made himself shelves that housed photos of all of his 34 great-grandchildren, complete with their names and birthdays on the frames.  He enjoyed spending time at the family cabin on Lake Minnewaska - fixing what needed to be fixed, playing with the grandkids, relaxing, fishing, or visiting with neighbors.

Roger died on Sunday, December 1, 2019 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud.  He was 85 years old.

Left to cherish his memory are his children: Tom (Pearl) Horning, of Chokio, Deb Farwell and Pat Needham of Graceville, Jane (Dan) Ritter of Oak Harbor, WA, MaryBeth (Steve) Stahn of Waconia, John (Maria) Horning of Everett, WA, and Linda (Steve) Staebler of Starbuck, exchange student/daughter, Christiane; 20 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; brothers: Wally (Peggy) Horning of Chokio, Ted (Adrienne) Horning of Chokio, Curt (Janna) Horning of East Grand Forks; sisters: Marilyn Trost of Fergus Falls, Sharon (Don) Sundquist of Vonore, TN and Judy (Ken) Rethmeier of Loveland, CO; sisters-in-law: Karen Holme of New London and Judy (Keith) Swanson of Hoffman; and many nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife: Nancy; brother and sister-in-law: Don (Marilyn) Horning; sister and brother-in-law: Dorothy (Gene) Simpson; and brothers-in-law: Bob Trost and Sig Holme.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, MEMORIALS ARE PREFERRED TO AMERICAN ORTHOTICS AND PROSTHETICS ASSOCIATION OR THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.