Irving Horns

Irving Horns May 30, 1930 – July 4, 2020 DECORAH — Irving Horns, 90, of rural Decorah was called to Heaven by his loved ones on July 4, 2020 at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah.

Due to the COVID-19 virus, a celebration of life service will be held at a later date. There will be a private burial held at the Monona City Cemetery.

Irving Albert Horns was born on May 30, 1930 in Farmersburg, the son of Herbert Henrich Johannas and Hedwig (Denninghoff) Horns. The Horns family lived near Volga for a short time. He attended the Goodings country school near Farmersburg from first through eighth grade. After school, he worked on the family farm near Farmersburg. From there, the family moved east of Monona when he was 16. He loved flying and learned how to fly a Piper Cub when he was 18. Irving was united in marriage to Barbara Ann Palmer on June 3, 1953 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Monona. On the family farm, they raised their 12 children, milked cows, raised hogs, chickens and a huge garden.

Irving loved the land and his dairy cows, where he was the first in the area to adapt to DHIA dairy production records. He was the first in the neighborhood to have a self-propelled combine, occasionally helping fellow neighbors with their combining and giving Harvestor Silo tours.

In the spring of 1987, they moved to a farm south of Decorah. Irving loved to talk and visit with everyone and enjoyed playing cards. He was fascinated with new technology and developments on John Deere tractors, airplanes and in life. In his younger years, Irving enjoyed squirrel and pheasant hunting, fishing and ice fishing.

Irving was a member of the Calmar Lutheran Church and served on Church council. He was a former member of the NFO and Monona Flying Club.

Irving is survived by his wife of 67 years, Barbara Ann Horns, Decorah; 11 children: Kathleen (Al) Kocher, Marseilles, Ill.; Audrey Emerson, Adell, Wis.; Sidney (Theresa) Horns, Luana; Susanna Sisk, Westcliffe, Colo.; Larry (Tammy) Horns, Westcliffe, Colo.; Sandra (Randy) Evanson, Monona; Neal (Deb) Horns, Postville; Martin (Martha) Horns, Winston, Ga.; Jeffery (Dawn Joy) Horns, Cresco; Dwight Horns, Elgin and Dawn Horns-Miller, Virginia Beach, Va.; 26 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; one nephew, Ray (Shirley) Horns and their children and families.

Irving was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Myron; one daughter-in-law, Melon Horns; four grandchildren: Savanna Horns, Dominic Horns, Christopher Horns and Lennon Horns; a brother, William (Marian) Horns; a nephew, Richard Horns and two nieces, Kathy Horns and Linda Kasper.

Condolences can be addressed online at schluterbalikfuneralhome.com or cards may be sent to Barbara Horns at 2489 Town Line Rd, Decorah, IA 52101. The family wishes to express their gratitude to New Haven Nursing Home in New Hampton and to Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah. Irving received loving care at both homes.

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