Milton Horst, age 77, passed away on Saturday, December 13 at the Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin following a long battle with leukemia. He was able to be at home, cared for by his wife and family until entering the hospital.


The Funeral Service for Milton will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elgin with Pastor Jerry Lee, officiating. Burial will be in Zion Lutheran Cemetery with full military honors afforded by the George W. Snook American Legion Post of Elgin.


Serving as casketbearers will be Ted Eslinger, Randy Fischer, Ron Fischer, Kevin Roth, LeRoy Weikum and Eugene Zimmerman. All of Milton's family and friends are considered Honorary Bearers.


Special music will be provided by Annette Roth and Marcy Haase.


A family service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday evening, December 16, 2008 at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin.


MILTON SOLOMON HORST was born on August 9, 1931 in Elgin, ND to Solomon & Ottila (Kranich) Horst. He grew up on a farm north of Elgin and attended school at Old Leipzig.


Milton farmed with his father until 1956 when he entered the U.S. Army, serving for two years. He was stationed in Korea for 1 ½ years. Following his discharge from the Army, he returned to the family farm.


Milton was united in marriage to Carol Heth on May 5, 1963 at Methodist Church in Mott, ND. They were blessed with one son, Kerry and one daughter, Dorita. Milton & Carol purchased the family farm in 1964. While he enjoyed farming, his pride and joy was ranching, continually improving his herd and finishing cattle for market. He also drove school bus for the Elgin Public School for 22 years and had many fond memories of the youth.


Milton was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, serving many terms as a Deacon. He was on the Leipzig Township Board serving first as Treasurer; then as Supervisor.


Milton & Carol retired from farming in 1997, and moved into Elgin where they built a new home. Milton enjoyed spending time with his family, raising horses, fishing, boating, target shooting, landscaping, and gardening. He especially enjoyed their last family trip touring southwestern USA in 2005.


Milton is survived by his wife, Carol; one son, Kerry, Fargo, ND; one daughter, Dorita Horst, Mandan, ND; two brothers, Wilbert (Hilda) Horst, Grandview, WA; Lee (Eloise) Horst, Elgin, ND; two sisters, Leona Rauscher, Elgin and Darlene (Torkel) Edquist, Fairhope, AL; five brother-in laws, John (Opal) Goff, Grand Bay, AL; Wesley Heth, San Diego, CA; Ronald Heth, TX; Walter Heth, Bismarck, ND and Douglas Heth, Garden City, KS; two sister-in-laws, Betty Mesling, Bismarck, ND and Betty (Delbert) Becker, Garden City, KS and several nephews and nieces.


He was preceded in death by his parents, Solomon & Ottila (Kranich) Horst; his father & mother in law, Rudolph & Esther (Preston) Heth; two brothers, Alden & Arnold Horst; one sister, Alice Goff; and one brother-in-law, Elmer Rauscher.

A memorial has been established to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Bell Tower Fund.


Visitation will be on Tuesday 1:00 to 7:00pm at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin.