Arnold Horner, 89, of Wagner

Arnold died Thursday, March 27, 2025 at Lake Andes Senior Living. Funeral services will be 2 PM, Friday, April 4, 2025 at the United Methodist Church in Wagner. Burial will be in the ZCBJ Cemetery, rural Wagner with military honors. Visitation will be 5-7 PM, Thursday, April 3, 2025 at the church.

Arnold Ray Horner was born at home, north of Wagner, on March 23,1936 to William "Ray" and Nellie (Wiechmann) Horner.  In 1957, Arnold married the love of his life, Norma Houska. Together they had three children: Robert, William, and Cynthia.

Arnold graduated from Wagner High School. In 1955, he received a scholarship to attend one year of college at SDSU in Brookings for agriculture school. Then he entered the US Air Force. He did basic training and attended school in Illinois. Arnold and Norma moved to Seattle, WA where Arnold was stationed. Upon his discharge in 1960, they moved back to Wagner where he and Norma began farming. He worked at Honke Chevrolet, Kocer International Implement and did a lot of custom baling to make income so they could purchase machinery for farming. Arnold semi-retired at the age of 62. He then began attending craft shows in the area showing off/selling his beautiful handmade wooden projects. Arnold went into the nursing home in June 2021.

Arnold was very involved in his community. Serving on the Community Council, County Extension Board, County Fair Board, President of Farmers CO-OP Board, Cemetery Board, Weed Board, Charles Mix County Extension Board and some we missed. Arnold was involved with 4-H since age 9. He won many medals and awards.  Among them was a state 4-H crop judging in 1953/1954. This took him and his team to a grain terminal in Minneapolis, MN. Also, in 1954 and 1955 his team placed 1st in the area land judging. This earned them trips to Oklahoma City for land judging there. In 1954, he was chosen to attend Boys State in Brookings. He started a small engine 4-H club in 1961. After a few years it merged with the Wagner Blue Ribbon 4-H Club. He was a 4-H leader for over 25 years. In 1970, he was nominated as an Outstanding Young Farmer by the Wagner Jaycees and placed second in the state of South Dakota.  He helped pilot an FHA loan program for young farmers.

In 1986 he was nominated Citizen of the Year for Wagner. He served in most offices at the United Methodist Church and has been a member for 70 years. He was a Sunday school teacher and Sunday school superintendent. He attended lay leader school and filled in for Pastors in Wagner, Scotland, Avon, and Tyndall many Sundays. He was a life time member of American Legion, serving as Chaplain for over 25 years. One of the things he enjoyed was a mission trip to Kansas City with his Grandson Cody. They worked in a soup kitchen and fixed up some homes and buildings. Arnold loved his God, family, and country.  He was very proud of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Arnold was preceded in death by wife Norma Horner; son Robert Horner; parents Ray and Nellie Horner; parents-in-law Ben and Anna Houska: and sister Jane Kostel.

Thankful for having shared his life are his children: William (Jeanene) Horner of Wagner, SD and Cynthia (Jay) Fredrich of Rapid City, SD; grandchildren: Jeremey (Kerri) Horner, Joshua (Amanda) Horner, Crystalyn (Skip) Westbrook, Cody (Andrea) Horner, Amanda (Adam) McIntyre, Elizabeth (Shawn) Lyons, Melanie (Patrick) Guth and Emily (Dylan) Van Bockel; and great grandchildren: Benjamin, Abigail, Nathaniel, Liam, Elijah Horner; Hexton and Madalyn Westbrook; Dillon and Ofelia McIntyre; Charlotte and Conor Lyons; and Warren Van Bockel.