Ken Horrocks

Kenneth Otto Horrocks

June 7, 1947 – March 24, 2026

It is with deep sorrow and heartfelt love that we announce the passing of Kenneth Otto Horrocks, who passed away on March 24, 2026, at his home in Hay Springs, Nebraska.

Kenneth, lovingly known as Ken, was a devoted father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. His kindness, strength, and unwavering love for his family blessed the lives of all who knew him. He was born on June 7, 1947, in Ionia, Michigan, to Otto and Eleanor (Lindsey) Horrocks and he was one of ten children.

Ken proudly served his country in the United States Army, enlisting in November 1967. He served in both Korea and Germany before his honorable discharge in 1973. While stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, he met Marcia and her children, Doug and Danelle. The couple married on July 9, 1970. During their time in Germany, they welcomed their daughter, Sherri Lynn. Ken adopted Doug and Danelle and raised them lovingly as his own. Later, while living in Alliance, Nebraska, they welcomed their son, Kenneth John. He sadly lost his daughter Sherri on May 22, 2018.

Throughout his life, Ken held many different jobs and had a wide range of interests. He worked on the Burlington Northern Railroad in Alliance, he was mechanic, a neon sign installer and just a regular jack of all trades. Family and friends often fondly joked about his “gypsy” lifestyle. Above all, family meant everything to him. He took great pride in his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his nieces and nephews, he never missed an opportunity to speak about them with love and pride, and he always tried to keep in touch with all no matter where he was. In the last few years Ken was living in Fort Myers, Florida to keep warm and he had so much fun with his neighbors at Poinsettia Park

clubhouse playing the dominoes game Mexican Train and Euchre. His health had started to decline after a shoulder surgery at the beginning of 2025, so he moved to Hay Springs, NE in September of 2025 to be back closer to his children, grandchildren and to meet some great grandchildren he had not met yet. We are so very thankful for the last several months that we were blessed with his presence, his daughter Danelle will forever miss his daily phone calls and hearing him say “What’s up kid?”

He is survived by his children: Doug (Sara) Horrocks of Gillette, Wyoming; Danelle Horton of Chadron, Nebraska; and John (Lesa) Horrocks of Hemingford, Nebraska; as well as his former wife, Marci Rockey of Gillette Wyoming.

He is also survived by his sisters, Shirley Houghton of Ionia, Michigan, and Geri Brown of Ionia, Michigan; and his brothers, Lindsey (Cindy) Horrocks of Gering, Nebraska, and James Horrocks of Ionia, Michigan.

Ken leaves behind his cherished grandchildren: Michael Kirbey; Jennifer (Zac) Blonien; Jessica (Kyle) Johnston; Matthew (Beth) Hessler; Barb Hessler; Jeremy Horrocks; Ben Horrocks; Rachel Horrocks; Stevin (Alicea) Horrocks; Chris (Kelsey) Kelley; and Nicholas and Jayden Bongiovanni; along with 20 great-grandchildren. Many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Gina, Kay, and Dixie; his infant brothers; his daughter, Sherri Lynn; and his great-grandson, James Devin Bergfield.

Funeral services will be held on June 5 at 10:30 a.m. at the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery in Alliance, Nebraska. A Celebration of Life luncheon will follow at the Shelter House in Central Park.

Ken will be deeply missed and forever remembered by those who loved him.