NORMA HORNER

Norma Jean Horner, 85, of Wagner died Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at the Wagner Community Memorial Hospital. Funeral services were held Monday, March 4 at the United Methodist Church in Wagner. Burial was in the ZCBJ Cemetery, rural Wagner. Peters Funeral Home of Wagner was in charge of arrangements.

Norma Jean Horner was born October 30, 1938 to Benjamin and Anna (Bren) Houska in Wagner. She attended grade school at Rouse School south of Dante and graduated from Wagner High School in 1956. There she met the love of her life, Arnold Ray Horner. They married February 24, 1957. Arnold joined the Air Force and they were stationed in Everett, WA. Together, they lived there for 3 1/2 years. After returning to Wagner, Norma farmed alongside Arnold; milking cows (18 of them by hand), raising chickens, ducks, geese, pigs, and sheep, and had a large garden each summer.

Norma was a member of the United Methodist Church for 65 years. She taught Sunday school, was a member of the UMW-North Rural Circle, Church Trustee, and belonged to the Wagner Legion Auxiliary. Norma organized local church activities such as funerals, soup days, and Labor Day lunch. She was a 4-H leader for Wagner Blue Ribbon 4-H club. After the kids were grown, she worked at Booms Café, Bures & Associates, and clerked for the Wagner Livestock Sale Barn, later becoming the office manager. Norma was chosen as Modern Woodman’s hometown Hero twice.

She enjoyed playing cards with the neighbor card clubs for many years. The things that brought joy in her life were her husband of 67 years, her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, gardening, embroidering, and family and friends.

Norma is survived by her husband Arnold; sons Robert Horner of Sioux Falls and William (Jeanene) Horner of Wagner; daughter Cynthia (Jay) Fredrich of Rapid City; brother George (JoAnn) Houska of Wagner; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents Ben and Anna Houska; brother Lloyd Houska; sister Darlene Beeson; and father and mother- in-law Ray and Nellie Horner.