Russ was born in Indian Head on May 25, 1955. He was the fifth of six children of Vic and Stella (Henry) Horsman. He was raised on the family farm nine miles southwest of Indian Head, attended school in Indian Head and, after his marriage to Pam Hoffman in 1979, bought his parents’ farm and raised his own children in the home where he’d been raised.
As a young man he enjoyed down-hill skiing, water skiing and sailing at the family cottage at Katepwa. Russ made many lifelong friends playing football with the Broncos in high school and growing up playing minor hockey and eventually with the Indian Head Marauders. A dedicated family man, Russ coached his son Trent in minor hockey from 1986 to 1995 and as assistant coach of the Indian Head Chiefs from 1999 to 2003.
He was predeceased by his brother Gregg in 1967, his mother Stella in 1982, his father Vic in 1996, his father-in-law Clarence (Kelly) Hoffman in 2001 and his brother-in-law Tim Welch in 2009.
He is survived by his wife Pam, son Trent and daughter Stacey; by his siblings, Maureen (Gary) Hunter, Doug (Leslie) Horsman, Jack (Marylyn) Horsman and Scott (Barb) Horsman; by his mother-in-law Lillian Hoffman, sisters-in-law Penny (Kim) Huntley, Patty (Darris Wouters) Welch, Yvonne (Steve) Baron, and brother-in-law Dan (Angie) Hoffman.
Russ was a beloved uncle to his many nieces and nephews. On the Horsman side: Jana (Jamie) McJannet, Chad (Jen) Horsman, Kara (Marty) Desimone; Danielle (Patrick) Bears, Jonathon (Monica) Horsman; Andrea (Michel) LeFebvre; Stephen (Nicole) Horsman; Ryan Horsman, Mandy (Scott) Kells. On the Hoffman side: Kelly (Lanny) Obleman, Corie (Bruce) Webster, Nolan Huntley, Brianna (Ian Shultz) Welch, Jordan (Jade Abrahams) Welch, Chad (Danielle) Hack, Shaun (Kayla) Hack, Chris (Monica) Baron, Nick Baron, Jessika (Garrett) Kopp and Bonni Hoffman. Russ also leaves behind many great-nieces and great-nephews.
Russ was strong, hard-working, conscientious and honest. Even as a child, he had an innate sense of goodness. He was a good man in every sense of the word: a good husband, father, son, brother, friend and neighbor. Like his parents before him, he died on the crucifix of cancer. In the days and weeks before his death on April 6th, he was a source of strength to his family and friends, with his keen sense of humor and his ability to face his fate with grace. He was a “rock” for many of those who knew and loved him.
Russ’s family would like to thank each and every one of you for being on hand today. “Joy shared is joy doubled; grief shared is grief halved.”
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