Margaret L. Horak

VIEW VIDEO TRIBUTE

Margaret L. Horak, 91, of Dell Rapids passed away Saturday, August 4, 2012 at the Dells Nursing and Rehab Center from complications of pneumonia.

Memorial services will begin at 11:00 AM Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at the Minnehaha Funeral Home Chapel in Dell Rapids.

Margaret was born March 13, 1921 at Sibley, Iowa to parents Andrew and Johanna (Bouwer) Luxen. She graduated from Worthington High School.

Margaret married James Horak, Jr. August 9, 1941 at Worthington, MN. She moved with him to various Air Force bases while he served as an Army Air Corps pilot in World War II After his discharge they lived in Austin, MN, Rapid City, SD and Brookings, SD where she worked as a bookkeeper for Northwestern Public Service Company. Margaret and James traveled extensively with their Winnebago motorhomes. She served as president of the state Ringneck Winnies Travel Club.

After their retirement they moved to Mims, FL where they followed the NASA Space Program, witnessing over 70 launches and landings. Fishing was always a big part of her life and they enjoyed almost 30 years of surf fishing on the shores near Kennedy Space Center. Margaret loved to bake and there was never a day in their house without cookies, cakes or her special apple pies. Her husband and son where avid hunters and fisherman so she learned how to cook all they brought home. She taught her family to appreciate nature with her extensive flower and vegetable gardens. Her kind nature, great sense of humor and positive attitude was a powerful influence in her family’s lives. Margaret woke smiling every morning and sang or hummed her favorite songs.

Grateful for having shared her life are her children, Ronda (Dave) Reimers, Gilford, NH, James (Claudia) Horak III, Ellijay, GA and Carol (Mick Boyles) Horak, Dell Rapids; three grandchildren, Kimberly (Richard) Sola, Kristel (Michael) Acre and Thomas (Kirsten) Horak; five great-grandchildren, Kelly Sola, Christopher Sola, Ryan Sola, Gillian Horak and Sonia Horak; Mick’s daughter, Brooklyn Boyles; three sisters, Anne Roskam, Titusville, FL, Edna Lowery, Pacific Grove, CA and Sharlene Hohensee, Worthington, MN. She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, James in 2007.