Katherine Horn

On Friday, May 27, 2022, Katherine (Katie) Horn passed away peacefully at her home in The Arbours, Brightwater Tuxedo, in Winnipeg.

Left to cherish her memory and celebrate her life are her children David (Kimberly) Horn, Beverly McConnell, Carolyn Horn (Stephen); her grandchildren, Jaclyn (Andrew) Hughes, Veronica (Zachary) Wilson, Holly Jones (Chris), Tori McConnell (Ian); her great grandchildren Huxton and Hallie Hughes; her ‘adopted’ daughter Carol (Cam) Steel; and her friend and companion Marcela. She is predeceased by her husband Jack, parents Katharina and George Binder, and son-in-law Wendel McConnell.

Katie was born February 9, 1932 in Katzendorf, Romania, the daughter of Katharina (nee Wagner) and George Binder. During the Second World War in 1944, Katie and her parents fled their home with very few belongings, travelling a long and difficult journey that brought them to Austria, where they lived and worked for four years. While in Austria, instead of attending school, Katie was given the job of caring for young children. After the war ended, Katie’s father reached out to his friend who was in Canada, asking for help to immigrate to Canada. Katie, her parents and her cousin John Wagner immigrated to Canada in September 1948. Upon arriving in Oak Bluff, Katie was taken to the Horn farm, where she helped with house work. Katie’s first few weeks with the Horns were very difficult as she missed her parents. Fortunately the Horn family was very good to her and treated her like one of the family. Katie recalled how she was taken to get her hair done in a modern style that required cutting off her long braided hair. The Horn brothers also bought her a new fancy coat and her first lipstick. It was here that Katie met Jack, the youngest of the twelve Horn children. They were married in 1958 and farmed in the Oak Bluff area until Jack’s passing in 2001. Katie worked long hard hours on their farm, growing a huge garden, canning and freezing, and serving up delicious meals for her family and anyone who was lucky enough to find themselves at the Horn family table. In 2002 Katie moved to Winnipeg, leaving the work of the farm and large yard to enjoy a more leisurely life in her senior years.

Katie would proudly share her life story with anyone who showed interest. Regardless of the hardships she faced during her younger years, or the rewarding yet hard life of farming with her soul mate Jack, Katie would conclude her story by saying “My father said the reason he came to Canada was to make a better life for his daughter, which he did. I always feel very fortunate to live in Canada. I love Canada!” Katie was a very proud and grateful Canadian!

Thank you to the staff of The Arbours, Brightwater Tuxedo who cared for her with kindness. You made Katie’s days so much brighter.

A celebration of Katie’s life will be held at Thomson in the Park, 1291 McGillvrary Blvd, on July 19, 2022 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family suggests you share an act of kindness or give a loved one a big hug. For those that wish to attend virtually please follow this link:https://youtu.be/Y6Pauir7f5s