HORNER: In Loving Memory Of Hector Haines Horner who was born June 9, 1927 at Biggar, SK and passed away November 16, 2013 at North Battleford, SK. Left to cherish his memory are his loving family: son, Reg Horner (Pauline Johnston); grandchildren: Kurtis & Daisy Horner and Devaney Horner (Chad Mehl); relatives and friends. Hector was predeceased by his parents, Ross & Ella Horner; his loving wife, Elsie Horner; his son, Barry Horner; siblings: Loverna, Simpson & Ivadell. The Funeral Service was held Friday, November 22, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. from St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, North Battleford, SK with Pastor Morley Ayars, Foursquare Gospel Church, Cando, SK, officiant. Shared Memory In Word were given by Kurtis & Devaney and Shared Memories In Pictures by Kurtis & Chad. Gifts of Music by Organist - Bonnie Phillips; Robert MacKay - "The Eastern Gate" and Selections: Processional: "What A Friend We Have In Jesus"; "Bringing In the Sheaves", "Shall We Gather At The River", "Rock Of Ages", "The Old Rugged Cross" & "In the Garden"; Recessional: "In My Heart There Rings A Melody". The Honourary Pallbearers were "All Who Shared His Life" and Pallbearers - Kurtis & Daisy Horner, Devaney Horner & Chad Mehl, Doug Horner & Dale Redlich. Interment followed at the Cando Cemetery, Cando, SK. Memorials are requested to Cando Memorial Hall, Box 84, Cando, SK S0K 0V0 or the Cando Cemetery Fund, Box 218, Cando, SK S0K 0V0. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Battlefords Funeral Service. (306)446-4200. Eulogy There is a quote by Washington Irving, states that "There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love." This could not be more true for my family as over the past three weeks we prepared ourselves to say good-bye to one of the strongest men I have ever known, my Grandfather, Hector Horner. Grandpa was born on June 9, 1927 in Biggar, to Ross and Ella Horner, the youngest of 4 children. He spent his childhood in a happy home near Cando, SK and grew up loving to farm. Grandpa attended school at Twin Gate and after one week he had no use for education, he told his mom that he was wasting his time as he could not read, write or talk in class. When he was 16, Grandpa gave up school and decided that farming was how he wanted to spend his life and he chose to stay close to the farm where he grew up. I am told when Grandpa was a young man, he was quite the charmer and loved to socialize with all the other young people. Although he did not like to dance, he loved to play a good serious game of Kaiser. It was not too long before a young woman seemed to catch Grandpa's eye an soon Elsie Redlich and Hector would become inseparable. The two were married in 1949, and the pair spent their first winter together in an apartment in Biggar. The summer of 1950 brought the Horners a lot of changes as they were blessed with the birth of their oldest son, Reginald, my dad. They also moved back to the Horner farm and decided to stay in Cando. Not long after, in 1953, they were blessed with another son, Barry. Their family was now complete. Dad remembers that Grandpa was more than willing to take him and Uncle Barry out fishing, however, it wasn't until much later in life that Dad learned Grandpa actually hated fishing. This year Grandpa celebrated his 70th harvest, and could not have been more proud of his accomplishment. He could not wait and was already planning what his 71st year would bring. Grandpa, even in his 80s could be seen working just as hard, or harder some could argue, than any other farmer in the area. Whenever anyone passed by, they could always identify him by his white/blue striped overalls and wearing a Tillie hat. During harvest time, Grandpa enjoyed nothing more than spending his time on the combine. Always willing to make room for me or my brother to hop on for visit. I could go on for hours about farming stories but the major one that stands out was the pure strength of this man. Gigantic hands, gigantic man and a gigantic will to get the work done. Until the recent years, I am sure Grandpa could have out worked even the youngest and strongest person in the room. At the age of 77, I watched him load a railway tie onto the back of a truck while Dad and I handled one together. I just stared at the man thinking, I hope I'm half that strong at 77. I remember talking to Grandpa about the possibility of him retiring; he told me that he would like to go while in the tractor. I remember saying 'well if that happened, Grandpa, who will stop the tractor'. To which her replied, 'that's not my problem'. I also remember Grandpa always humming as he worked. This is something that I have missed over the last couple years. In 2010, I spent the summer working for my dad. That summer, this city raised girl, got an education of a life time. I learned everything from how to fix a sprayer to changing oil in the tractor to how to never give up even after 100 attempts to fix something as the 101st try might be the answer. Throughout the summer I always felt like my Grandfather thought that I did not belong on the farm as he always stood close by watching and teaching and re-teaching me how to do the tasks I was assigned. It was not until last summer that I realized that with Grandpa I had to earn his respect and trust on the farm and being his granddaughter was not going to give me a free ride. Last summer, I was out helping Dad hook up the old cultivator to the tractor. As Dad backed the tractor up, I was able to direct him, hook the cultivator up, and watch the gears and hoses and he checked to make sure they were still ok, Grandpa watched from his truck. When Dad had left with the tractor, Grandpa told me that I had done a good job and that he would make a farmer out of me yet. I had finally earned his respect, and that day is one I will never forget. Grandpa was your traditional, tough and stubborn farmer. This year, Grandpa broke his first bone, and he would tell everyone who would listen that he had been trampled, squished, kicked and even bucked off a horse and never got hurt until he tripped. When he fell off the toilet at the care home he told everyone that he got bucked off the toilet. The nurses also took away his cane, mostly because he did not want to bother anyone for help. This summer, I am getting married and it seems impossible for me to believe that Grandpa will not be there to see me walk down the aisle at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, across from Dad's farm. I am glad that I was able to share with Grandpa a picture of me in my wedding gown, and Chad was able to show him his wedding band. Both times Grandpa seemed to glow and smile with excitement, even though he never said it, I know he was happy and approved the choice I made to marry Chad. I think part of that approval was that for the first time in his life, Grandpa finally had a Mountie call his Sir. In the last conversation I had with Grandpa, he told me and Chad that he couldn't wait to be reunited with Grandma. I made the comment that I could not believe that she has been gone for 6 years, it did not feel that long. Grandpa looked at me than shook his head and replied, no, it has been a life time, she's been gone for far too long. I realized then that Grandpa gave me the best wedding gift I could ever ask for. He reminded me that life is short, and to embrace and cherish every day Chad and I have together because even if you are lucky enough to be married for 58 years like my grandparents, you never truly have enough time together. I can only hope that my marriage will be filled with such love, happiness and devotion that my grandparents shared. One of the biggest things I will miss about Grandpa is his quick witted humor and cracks. Grandpa was known for his sense of humor, which never went away. The following are his favorite responses to common questions and some of his favorite phrases: How are you feeling? With my fingers. How are you doing? Oh can't complain, no one would listen if I did. If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have any luck at all. About a year ago, Grandpa was in the hospital here in North Battleford. A nurse came in and talked to Grandpa about what he wanted for end of life measures. Grandpa replied that they should just pull the plug because he did not like to eat vegetables and he definitely did not want to be one! The poor nurse did not know whether to stay serious or laugh along with Grandpa. Some of my fondest memories revolved around a Scotch and sharing stories; he would always ask me to pour his a Scotch 3 fingers full, I'd have to ask, my fingers or yours. Yours he would say; otherwise you will be carrying me home. After the Scotch was poured, 3 ice cubes and just a little water was added, he would sit back and the stories would fly. In the last years of his life, Grandpa remained a devout Christian man and attended the Four Square Church in Cando regularly. He was known for keeping Pastor Morley to hour sermons and the pot of beans he always brought to the pot luck lunches. He also became quite the Rider fan and on Nov. 10 he asked everyone to leave his room so he could have a nap to be rested so he would be able to watch his Riders win against the B.C. Lions. Hector passed away on November 16, 2013 around 4:00 a.m. Dad said that after he got the call he heard 2 coyotes howl and yelp for about 5 minutes, what makes this so important is they were not heard during the 2 weeks before Grandpa's death and have not been heard since. I believe that this was Grandpa's final good-bye to the world. Though the pain of losing Grandpa was inevitable, we would like to thank you for taking part in this celebration of his life. After 86 years of life and 70 straight years of farming, there are enough stories in this room that we could share for hours. We have shared some of our fondest memories, I hope and I am sure, they will bring up similar stories and I hope they will bring you pleasant memories. Grandpa lived a long and fulfilling life and we can reflect upon our memories of him to help us move through this difficult time. In closing, I have found comfort and peace in the lyrics from Brad Paisly's song 'When I Get to Where I am Going' over the last week. I feel like it is what Grandpa would want to say to us now that he is gone, I hope these words bring you the same peace as well. "When I get where I'm going, On the far side of the sky, The first thing that I'm gonna do, is spread my wings and fIy I'm gonna land beside a lion and run my fingers through his mane or I might find out what it's like to ride a drop of rain. I'm gonna walk with my granddaddy and he'll match me step for step and I'll tell him how I missed him every minute since he left, Then I'll hug his neck. But when I get where I'm going and I see my maker's face, I'll stand forever in the light of His amazing grace. When I get where I'm going there'll be only happy tears. I will shed the sins and struggles I have carried all these years and I'll leave my heart wide open I will love and have no fear when I get where I'm going. Don't cry for me down here. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
