HORN, James Newton "Jim"
HORN, DITTUS, EZEONU, SIEVERS, SCHNEIDER
Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/1/2017 at 04:22:51
Obituary ~ James Newton "Jim" Horn
August 19, 1928 ~ January 17, 2009Billings Gazette
Billings, Montana
January 17, 2009James "Jim" Newton Horn, 80, died on Jan. 17, 2009, after a long illness. He was born Aug. 19, 1928, twin with Joanne, to Thomas and Zoa Horn in Davis City, Iowa. He attended grade school in Leon, Iowa, three years of high school in Omaha, Neb., and graduated from Pierre, S.D., in 1946 when he joined the United States Army.
He was stationed in Austria for 14 months, returning in the spring of 1948. Jim served in Korea from 1951 to the summer of 1952 when he was honorably discharged. Jim was a member of the North Dakota National Guard until 1962. He was a member of the Army Corps of Engineers and helped in the construction of the Garrison Dam. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from North Dakota State University, Fargo.
On October 5, 1952 he married his "baby doll" Nita Dittus in Glen Ullin, N.D. They resided in various cities in North Dakota until they moved to Billings in 1962. Jim and Nita had four children: Tom, and wife Nancy of Cohagen, John and wife Lynne of Casper, Wyo., LuAnn and husband Edwin Ezeonu of Broomfield, Colo., and David and his wife Rebecca of Butte.
He worked for the Bureau of Reclamation as a hydrologist and flood study engineer until his retirement in 1988. He loved the outdoors, especially the Beartooth Mountains and the plains of eastern Montana, Cohagen and Jordan. He loved working with his hands whether working on cars, metal working and welding or woodworking. With the help of his two oldest sons, they built half of the family home by hand. He was kind and generous and was always willing to help friends and family. He loved westerns, his daily crossword puzzles, chess and any mental challenge his kids could spring on him and he had a fantastic sense of humor. When Tom and John were young, he was very involved with the Boy Scouts. He loved all of the numerous family dogs and cats over the years.
He was preceded in death by his parents and many close friends. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Nita of 56 years; four children and spouses; nine grandchildren Jessica, Kirsten, Lisa (Tom) and Isaac, Vincent, and Kendra (John) and Ranita, Stephen and Christian James (LuAnn); and six great-grandchildren, Scott, Taylor, Logan, Jaxson, Micah and Leah. He is also survived by his sister, Joanne and husband Victor Sievers of Broomfield, Colo., and two nephews Bruce and Michael Schneider.
Cremation has taken place. The memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, at the Pilgrim Congregational Church, 409 S.36th St., Billings. Rev. Michael Dooling will be presiding. His son Tom and friends, Radie Clayton from Bismarck, Rev. Lee Jackson from Miles City and Lee McCord from Douglas, will be performing music that Jim and Nita loved so very much.
Jim was much loved and will be missed by all who knew him. He was a wonderful husband and a fantastic dad and a fun and caring Papa. Go with God, until we meet again! Hugs and Kisses.
Most of us never qualify for life's grand awards - no Oscar, Emmy or Nobel Prize. But we all have a shot at one worthwhile pursuit - the chance to deliver quality in all that we do for others. - Dan Zadra
The Family of Jim Horn would like to commend and thank the wonderful and caring souls of Billings Health and Rehab for the care and love they have shown to Jim, Nita and all of our family. You are Professionals in the truest sense. Especially TCU and Unit One East!
Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements and your remembrances or condolences may be left for the family at www.michelottisawyers.com.
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, December of 2016
Decatur Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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