Neil Deon Horsman, age 84 of rural Tracy, farmer, history buff, devoted husband and father, passed away Friday, June 5, 2015. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at the Tracy Area Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. A private family burial will be held in the Hoiland Cemetery at a later date. Memorials are preferred to the National Parkinson Foundation in lieu of flowers. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Neil was born and raised in rural Tracy; and lived within a 2-mile radius of where he grew up.
Neil’s first love was his wife, Millie Bartlett. They got married in 1954 and recently celebrated a milestone anniversary of 60 years. Neil always enjoyed telling his children and grandchildren that he married “the love of his life.”
Neil loved everything about farming – especially riding his International Harvester MTA tractor. He enjoyed seeing the crops grow and monitoring the rain gauge. His kids liked to call him an arm-chair meteorologist. Even after he retired, he and Millie would drive around to local farms and check the fields out. Neil enjoyed going to the Butterfield Threshing Bee every year, where he and Millie would enjoy the tractor parade and eating ice cream. He prided himself on having an immaculate lawn and taught his children, grandchildren, (and wife) the “correct” way of mowing the grass.
During his retirement, Neil enjoyed reading the Bible and underlining his favorite verses. He also served as Deacon at the Church of Christ for many years.
Neil never watched a Western movie he didn’t like and in his last few years, he was a devoted fan of RFD-TV, whose programming is focused on the culture of farming and agriculture.
Neil is survived by his loving wife, Millie, and their children Mark (and Donna) Horsman of Watertown, SD, Kathy (and David) Wilking of Tracy, Sherrie (and Todd) Cambronne of Tracy, Wayne (and Jenny) Horsman of Minneapolis and Laurie Horsman of Manhattan, NY; 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren (and one on the way); sisters Margie (and Jim) Sorenson and Virginia Stahn. He is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Julie Horsman, and brother David Horsman.
Millie and family, it was with great sorrow that I heard just yesterday (Jun 10th) of Neil’s passing. I have always treasured the friendship that Neil and Millie had with my father especially the past 30 years I have been away. I will always remember growing up across the road when Mark and Donna lived there. I had to admire the pride that Neil took in his farm, everything was always looking nice. God Bless you in this time of loss but have the joy knowing that Neil, a strong believer is with God making ready the Horsman homestead in heaven!
God Bless and Take Care
Randy and Alicia, Cameron NC
Dear Millie and family. I am so sorry for your loss. Few people have 60+ years with the love of their life. Neil is with his Savior now, young and being rewarded for his faith and love of God. You, Sherrie and the rest of your family are in my thoughts and prayers.