Stephen Horvat

Stephen Francis Horvat was born March 8, 1932 in Mankato, MN, the son of Stephen and Magdalene (Mozanic) Horvat. He grew up in Mankato and graduated from Loyola High School. Following school Stephen joined the United States Army. He served in Germany during the Korean War as a corporal. He was assigned as a driver to his commanding officer. Stephen was discharged after two years of service and completed six additional years in the Army Reserve. On April 9, 1956 Stephen was united in marriage to Dorothy Schultz at St. Casimir?s Church in Wells, MN. The couple made their home on the family farm at Mankato. They were blessed with seven children. After three years of farming the home farm, Stephen bought a farm near Le Center, MN. In 1968 he moved his family to Sleepy Eye, MN where he worked as a district manager for Moorman's Feed Co. In 1980 Stephen moved to Hudson Township near Alexandria where he farmed for eight more years. In 1988 he and his family moved to their current home in Reno Township near Lowry, MN. After retiring from farming Stephen worked at WASP in Glenwood for seven years and twelve more years at Target in Alexandria. He retired in 2006. Stephen was an avid reader. He also enjoyed summer fishing and going deer hunting, and raised pheasants for release. Stephen was always active in the churches where he was a member. He served in his church as a lector and a Eucharistic minister. Stephen was a life member of Catholic Aid and the Knights of Columbus. On Tuesday, December 3, 2013 Stephen died at the age of eighty-one years. He was preceded in death by 4 sons-in-law, Herb Johnson, Dale Ruud, Timothy Anderson and Larry Ellertson; his parents; 5 brothers, Stephen, Joseph, George, Stephen, John; 3 sisters, Mary Ritter, Katie Pufahl, and Annie Anderson. Stephen is survived by his wife, Dorothy, of Reno Township; one brother, Martin Horvat of North Mankato; one sister, Sister Veronica Horvat, SSND of St. Paul; son Kenneth Horvat of Reno Township; daughters, Jeanette Schmidkonz of St. Louis Park, Marjorie Ruud of St. Louis Park, Carmen Johnson of Alexandria, Bernice Anderson of Evansville, Lenore Ellertson of Atlanta, GA, and Sharon Hiniker and husband, Dale, of Nicollet; 10 grandchildren, Allen Anderson, Brian Anderson, Nicole King, Jennifer Grubbs, Heather Ellertson, Robert Schmidkonz, Alicen Johnson, Stephanie Anderson, Shaunda Hiniker and Kyle Hiniker; three great grandchildren, Caroline King, Isaac King and Julia Joy Grubbs; and many nieces and nephews. Arrangements were made with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria where the family will receive guests on Monday, December 9 from 4 to 6 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 AM Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at the Church of St. John Nepomuk in Reno Township. Reverend Father Roger Thoennes and Deacon Jim Pufahl will be the celebrants. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Honorary pallbearers include all of Stephen?s Grandchildren and Godchildren.