Obituary for Donald F. Horstman

He was born September 30, 1934 to Harry and Johanna Horstman in Bangor, Wis. On August 25, 1956 Don married Marlene Faas at Christ Ev. Lutheran Church in West Salem.

Don will be dearly missed by his wife, Marlene; sons, Brian (Patty) Horstman, Gary (Deb) Horstman, Donnie (Dorothy) Horstman, Randy (Deborah Jones) Horstman, and Richard (Gwen) Horstman; 16 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and many other family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Harold, Robert, and Burdette; an infant sister; and two infant brothers.

Don served as a medic in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958; he was stationed in Huntsville, Ala., and Denver, Colo.

He worked at Trane Company for 43 years as a welder and an inspector. Don delivered vehicles for Brenengen Chevrolet and worked at Sears in the tool department. After his retirement, in the 80’s, he moved out to the family farm in Barre Mills,Wis., and started beef farming.

Don loved to go on family camping trips every summer, Friday night fish, deer hunt with his boys, watching Western shows, going to steam engine shows; and woodworking. Don enjoyed teaching Boy Pioneers at Christ Ev. Lutheran Church when his sons were young. Later in life, he enjoyed going to breakfast at the Big Boar Restaurant on Wednesday mornings with his brother-in-law, Billie, and friends.

Our family would like to thank Gundersen Health System Hospice Department and the Tomah VA caregivers for all of the compassionate and wonderful care Don was given during his short stay.

A Christian Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, November 10, 2023, at Christ Ev. Lutheran Church, 500 Park St., West Salem. Rev. Galen J. Riediger will officiate. Burial will be held in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery, rural La Crosse; with military honors to be rendered by the Berg-Hemker-Olson American Legion Post 51 of West Salem and the United States Army Funeral Honor Guard

A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Thursday, at Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Jostad Chapel, 121 N. Youlon St., West Salem, and from 10:00 a.m., until the time of service, Friday, at the church.

In lieu of flowers memorials will be arranged by the family.

Online condolences may be offered on this site.