While cooking his final batch of maple syrup, Darrel “Papa” Horn, Greenwood, WI, passed away on Monday, March 27, 2023.  Funeral services were held at Immanuel United Church of Christ, rural Greenwood, on Saturday, April 1, 2023.  Military rites were conducted by the Greenwood American Legion Post #238.

     Darrel Otto Horn was born at home on August 24, 1932 to Rose E. (Hasse) and Otto M. Horn.  He attended Braun Settlement School through the 8th grade and graduated from Greenwood High School in 1950.  He enlisted in the U.S Army on January 7, 1955, serving until his honorable discharge on October 10, 1956.  Following his time in the service, he attended Farm Short Course at UW Madison.  Darrel returned to the home farm that had been settled two generations before by his grandfather.  On June 7, 1958, he married his companion for life, Lois A. Ebert.  Together, they cultivated and grew the family farm which became a Century Farm in 1984.  While he valued his herd of registered Holsteins, he was most proud of his three daughters.  On a portion of the home farm, he constructed a home for retirement from the lumber he harvested from his own woods.  Lois and he moved to this home in 1994 when they retired from farm life.

     Darrel’s adventures continued in his retirement.  He fished from his pond, hunted deer, and had already purchased a turkey permit for this Spring.  He and Lois enjoyed traveling to many states and countries, harvesting a bear in northeast Wisconsin and several trophies during an African Safari.  Despite his love of travel and adventure, he was most at peace while in the woods enjoying wildlife, planting or harvesting trees, or tapping for syrup in his sugarbush.

     Spending time with his family and serving his community were extremely important to Darrel; he relished the annual trips to Birch Lakes Resort, hunting excursions, holidays, time with his grandchildren, and most recently, his three great-grandchildren.  He was of great service at The Highground, Immanuel United Church of Christ, Longwood Township, Greenwood Milk Products, and Cooperative Services.

     Darrel is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lois, and their three daughters:  Denise Horn of Marshfield, Amy (Brent) Horn-Delzer of Janesville, and Melanie (Neil) Bottemiller of Prior Lake, MN; grandchildren: Hannah (Paul) Christenson, Clark Delzer, Michaela Delzer, Laine, Leah, and Logyn Bottemiller; great-grandchildren: Brenley, Summit, and Vesper Christenson.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, Rose and Otto Horn, sister, Jean Carol, and grandson, Grant Delzer.