Clay B. Van Horn

Clay Bryon Van Horn was born in Morris, Minnesota on March 20, 1947 the son of Albert and Phyllis (Struthers) Van Horn. The family farmed in Renville Township north of Morris. Clay was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Morris.

Clay attended Country School #33 on 2167 for his first six years, then went on to Morris for grades seven through ten. He finished his education at Hoffman High School for grades eleven and twelve so he could participate in FFA, where he earned his State Farmer Degree in just two years, graduating in 1965.

Clay’s father passed away when he was only three years old, so he grew up helping his mother run the family farm and milk the cows. He showed Holsteins in 4-H, earning trips to the Minnesota State Fair. After Clay graduated from high school, the family farm was sold.

On October 24, 1969, Clay married Diane Raasch in Morris, and to this union two sons were born. Clay and Diane later divorced. On June 30, 1975, Clay married Sharon Smith in Sisseton, South Dakota. They were blessed with two sons and two daughters.

Clay managed a dairy farm near Northfield, Minnesota, for several years before taking on other jobs across the state. He later attended Alexandria Vocational Technical College, graduating with degrees in parts sales and truck driving. After graduation, he worked for J-S Construction of Paynesville, Minnesota, where he drove dump trucks, semi belly dumps, and later operated a D8 Cat—something he truly enjoyed.

In 2000, Clay met the love of his life and soulmate, Marlene. They were married in 2001 and together made their home west of Donnelly, where they raised miniature horses on their farm, Rockin’ C Horse Farm.

Throughout their years together, Clay and Marlene faced many ups and downs—they lost their home to a fire, endured damaging windstorms, and mourned the loss of Clay’s youngest son, Curtis in 2006 and second oldest son Craig in 2025.

Clay always considered himself a cowboy, having started riding horses at just three years old. He had a deep appreciation for the past and enjoyed collecting old things, but most of all, he loved his “grandpa’s toy land” collection, a passion he began in his early twenties.

Clay was preceded in death by his parents, two sons: Craig Van Horn and Curtis Van Horn; brother Clark Van Horn and an infant brother at birth.

Clay is survived by his wife Marlene Van Horn of Donnelly, MN; children: Clay (Sheri) Van Horn of Cyrus, MN; Corey (Kelly) Van Horn of Morris, MN; Lisa (Joshua) Hennessy of Alberta, MN; and LeAnn (Benjamin) Honzay of Appleton, MN; half-sisters: Fay Young of Woonsocket, SD and Ruthann Van Horn of Mankato, MN; half-brothers: Cole Van Horn of Montgomery, MN and Calvin Van Horn of Morris, MN; daughters-in-law Cameo Van Horn of Renville, MN and Elizabeth Kieffer of Morris, MN; eleven grandchildren and one great-grandson. Clay is also survived by three step children and four step grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A private family service will be held at a later date.