Russell Horn

Russell was never far from water. He loved the coolness of it on a hot summer day, and the shimmer of it as he looked out toward the sunset. Whether it was a sunset or an hour of conversation, Russell had a true love for the simple things in life.

Flappers, prohibition, and gangsters characterize the 1920s, yet these things do not, by themselves, paint an accurate picture of the age. Advancements in manufacturing made products - like cosmetics, cars, and ready-to-wear fashions - available to the public at reasonable prices. Also, the introduction of credit meant Americans could spend money freely, and they did. Unfortunately, when the stock market crashed in 1929, America’s carefree attitude was replaced with disillusionment and poverty.

Luckily, Raymond Horn’s position at the city street department allowed his family a simple, but comfortable life. He and his wife, Harriet (Tazelaar), lived in Holland, Michigan with their growing family. Their second child, Russell Dean, was born in a cottage on Lake Macatawa January 5, 1927. He was eventually joined by four more siblings.

Although he was born near the water, Russell grew up in a modest home on East 16th Street, right next to the railroad tracks. As a young man growing up during the Depression, Russell learned the value of faith. Every Sunday, Russell attended Sixth Reformed Church with his entire family. He was baptized and confirmed within the walls of this church, surrounded by the people who shared in his faith.

The church encouraged families to support each other. Russell and his brother, even as children, took this to heart. They arrived at the local train station everyday at 5 a.m. Here, they would pick up the daily Chicago newspaper and deliver them throughout the neighborhood before school.

As a teenager, Russell became actively involved in athletics. He was both a talented gymnast and swimmer. He spent most of his time in the water, which was no surprise to his family. Russell had been born on banks of a lake and water seemed to be a recurring theme in his life. In fact, he volunteered for the Navy after graduating from Holland High School in 1944.

Russell worked for the aviation ordinance of the Navy, loading bombs into the aircrafts. During his training, he became injured and spent a year in a military hospital. He made a full recovery. By this time, however, the war had ended. Russell, much to the relief of his family, was never shipped overseas.

After being discharged, Russell continued living with his parents on 16th Street, where he knew almost everyone. One of his friends introduced him to a girl who lived up on 18th Street, a beautiful girl named Marge Brower. Russell waited a while to ask her out because, much to his dismay, she was being pursued by other suitors.

Eventually, Russell worked up the courage to ask Marge out. She agreed, though their first date turned out to be a bit awkward. Marge had grown up in a Christian Reformed Church that prohibited her from watching films. But when Russell suggested they go to a movie on their first date, she politely agreed. It turned out that she did not like the film and she ended up agreeing with her parents that they were not worth seeing.

Although the first date was a little rocky, Russell and Marge did not give up on their relationship. They went roller skating together and took drives long drives along the lakeshore. On one of these trips, they traveled south to the town of Saugatuck. On the way home, Russell stopped along the side of the road, bent down on one knee, and asked Marge for her hand in marriage. They married on November 6, 1947 at the Woman’s Literary Club of Holland.

Marge and Russell began married life in an apartment overlooking Kollen Park. Eventually, they settled into a house on 11th Street in Holland Heights and began raising a family. Russell worked at Baker Furniture for a couple of years, and then began working with his brother at a local gas station. This job required Russell to spend too much time away from his family, so he decided to change careers.

For the next several years he worked as a delivery driver for the Riveld Hurst Dairy. Although it was an improvement, this job was still not what Russell was looking for. He finally found a position that suited him when he began working for Marvin Albers Supply Company. Russell truly enjoyed people, so being a salesman was a perfect fit. He retired after 23 wonderful years, but still offered to fill in whenever they needed someone part-time.

Russell loved his work, but he also enjoyed being with his family. He and his brother Bob spent hours in the basement building boats. They would test them out on Lake Macatawa. Eventually he sold his hand made boat, and used the money to upgrade and buy a 16 foot aluminum boat with a huge engine. They took the kids water skiing on the Grand River every week, setting special time aside on Wednesday afternoons.

Once he retired, Russell spent more time traveling. He went all over the country with nothing more than a Coleman stove and cooler. Russell and Marge cooked almost every meal, including a lot of spam sandwiches. Needless to say, they never ate fast food.

On one trip to Las Vegas, the car blew up. The family joked about it, saying that Russell “lost his car in Vegas.” Russell just laughed it off. He bought a new car, and continued on his trip.

At home, Russell loved listening to big band or country western music. He liked to turn it up as far as he could, though his wife did not hesitate to tell him when loud was loud enough. Russell also had a drum set in the basement, which he would play from time to time. He was often inspired by the American Legion Band concerts he and Marge attended every Tuesday night. They would sit together in Kollen Park, listening to the band and looking out the playful waters of Lake Macatawa.

Russell lived a life full of beautiful memories. His friends and family will greatly miss his energetic presence in their lives, but they will always treasure the time they spent together.

Russell Dean Horn died Tuesday, August 3, 2004, at Spectrum Heath Butterworth Campus in Grand Rapids, MI. He was preceded in death by his father Raymond, brother Robert Horn, and grandchildren Stephanie and Scott Horn. His family includes his wife of 56 years, Marjorie “Marge” (Brower) Horn; sons Larry (Loretta) Horn of Holland, MI., David (Sheryl) Horn of Holland, MI., and Mike (Linda) Horn of Holland, MI.; mother Harriett Eyles of Holland, MI.; grandchildren Christy Horn, Lisa Horn; David II (Keri) Horn, Chad (Kim) Horn; Sara Horn, Mathew Horn; great grandson Hunter; brothers Roger (Vivian) Horn of Holland, MI. and Kenneth (Georgiana) Horn of California; sisters, Jacqueline O’ Shelof of Florida, Kathy (Ron) Sterken of Holland, MI.; in-laws Louis (Mary) Brower of Beaver Dam, MI., Marvin (Florence) Brower of Oakland, MI., Elmer(Marge) Pyle of Zeeland, MI., Hazel (Gordon) Nagelkirk of Zeeland, MI., Don (Pauline) Brower of Arizona, and Arlene (Peter) De Vries of Florida; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Services will be 1:00 P.M. Friday at the Christ Memorial Church in Holland, with the Rev. Fritz Kruithof officiating. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 6-9 P.M. Thursday at the Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Life Story Funeral Home, 188 West 32nd Street, Holland, MI. Please visit Russell's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution on-line to Mission to the World in care of Scott and Kris De Vries or the Local Heart Association.

For more information visit www.lifestorynet.com