Curtis Dale Van Horn, son of Clay Van Horn and Sharon (Smith) Van Horn, was born January 21, 1982 at Wheaton, MN, and was baptized at First Lutheran Church in Morris. While growing up, Curtis' family lived in various towns in Minnesota, primarily in the Donnelly and Morris area. While attending Morris Area High School, Curtis worked for the Quality Stamping Co. in Morris. Following his graduation from MAHS in 2000, Curtis realized that he wanted to work in a job that was more agricultural, especially one that involved working with animals. That is when he began working for Northland Pork in the Morris area.
While taking in the 2001 Minnesota State Fair, Curtis met Beth Gulbrandson. On June 28, 2003, the couple was united in marriage at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alexandria by Father Andrew Marthaler. Following their marriage, they made their home in the Morris area, where Curtis was later brought into the Catholic Faith at Assumption Catholic Church. The couple have been members at Assumption since that time. In 2004, Curtis took a job working for Hilltop Swine in the Morris area. He very much enjoyed working for Hilltop, where he always felt like a valued member of their team. On August 18, 2005, Curtis & Beth's lives were changed forever with the birth of their beautiful little girl, Tabitha. Curtis loved being a father to Tabitha and his world has revolved around her since she was born.
Curtis will be remembered as the guy who would do anything for anyone, especially when it came to his family members. He also loved to have fun and was known as being quite the practical joker. Curtis also enjoyed collecting tractors, from his many toy tractors to the full size versions. A couple of his prized possessions were his antique tractors, the WD-6 and the Farmall H. He also enjoyed the times that he and his dad would set up the toy farm display at the Donnelly Threshing Bee, and spending time at his dad's farm with the toy collection set up there. Some of his greatest enjoyment, though, came from his constant search for things to buy and sell. It was always a great day when Curtis would spot some old "gem" in someone's tree belt that he could get them to sell cheap. He was always the ultimate bargain hunter. More than anything, Curtis will be remembered as a loving husband and father, whose absence will be felt for many years to come by all who knew and loved him.
Curtis died on Friday, December 22, 2006 at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis from injuries sustained in an auto/train accident near Donnelly, MN. He had lived to reach the age of 24 years.
He is survived by his wife: Beth Van Horn of Morris; his infant daughter: Tabitha Van Horn of Morris; his mother: Sharon Van Horn of Donnelly; his father: Clay (Marlene) Van Horn of Donnelly; three brothers: Bryon Van Horn of Las Vegas, NV, Craig (Cameo) Van Horn of Renville and Corey (Kelly) Van Horn of Johnson; two sisters: Lisa Van Horn (special friend, Josh Hennessy) of Morris and LeAnn Van Horn of Donnelly; grandparents: Phyllis Smith of Morris and Lowell Vipond of Festus, MO; two nephews: Andrew Van Horn and Darin Van Horn; one niece: Samantha Van Horn; father and mother-in-law: Jeff & Cindy Gulbrandson of Hoffman; grandparents-in-law: Jim & Pat Lachowitzer of Battle Lake and Wilbur and Arlene Gulbrandson of Herman; brother-in-law: Chris Gulbrandson of Herman; two sisters-in-law: Sarah Gulbrandson (special friend, Gavin Larson) of Norcross and Jessica Gulbrandson (fiancAC., Chris Davis) of Waite Park as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by three grandparents: Dale Smith, Phillis Vipond and Albert Van Horn.
Pallbearers for the service are: Joey Fults, Kevin Kruize, Matt Hoffman, Jon Kill, Josh Ritter and Chris Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be: All Those Who Called Curtis "Friend". Josh Fischer will provide the special music for the service. Pedersen Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.