Montie Frederick Horn
Montie F. Horn, 90, Sioux Falls, died Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, after an extended battle with health issues.
Visitation with family present will be 5~7pm, Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at Westside Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls. Funeral Services will begin at 10am, Thursday, September 24, 2026, also at Westside Lutheran Church. A livestream link will be provided to watch remotely. Interment will follow at Hills of Rest Cemetery, Sioux Falls, with Full Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Montie’s honor.
Montie was born on June 28, 1936, in Sioux Falls, SD to Vernon and Mary (Graham) Horn. After living in numerous locations in and around the Sioux Falls area, he graduated from Hills High School in Hills, MN in 1955. Montie was married to Josephine Ward from 1957 until 1980; they had three children – Jeffrey, Brian, and Nancy. In 1981, he married Karen Clauson, and they had one child, Matthew.
In 1954, while still in high school, Montie joined the SD Air National Guard, receiving an Honorable discharge in 1962. In 1960, he started his first career at John Morrell where he worked for 13 years. Montie discovered his true calling when he started volunteering with Minnehaha County Civil Defense in 1966. In 1973, when he was appointed to be the Deputy Coordinator, Montie started full-time employment with Civil Defense. After being named Director of Civil Defense in 1986, Montie assumed responsibility for disaster preparedness in Minnehaha County and oversight of the Rescue Squad, Dive Team, and Police Reserves. He served in that position for 28 years, until his retirement in 2001. During his time at Civil Defense (Emergency Management), Montie was instrumental in founding the South Dakota EMT Association and purchasing the first “Jaws of Life” in the state. His impacts on disaster preparedness and emergency medical services at the county and state levels are still evident today. After of his official retirement, Montie settled into another career working for the Renner Corner Locker, until 2019.
Accomplishments in Montie’s life and career include obtaining an airplane pilot’s license, serving as an EMT for Sioux Falls Ambulance, and acting as a bail bondsman. In addition, he held terms as President of the following organizations: SECA Citizen Band Radio Club, South Dakota Emergency Management Assn, Southeast Emergency Services Assn, South Dakota Emergency Medical Technicians Assn, and Hills, MN, Future Farmers of America. Montie was a Minnesota FFA State Farmer and a Lifetime Member of the following associations: South Dakota Emergency Medical Technicians, South Dakota Emergency Management, and Minnehaha County Fire Chiefs. Montie also served on the Minnehaha County American Red Cross Board and the Moose Lodge Board of Directors. Notable events he played a major role in responding to include the 1968-69 blizzard and flood, United Flight 232 plane crash in Sioux City, 1993 floods, and the Spencer tornado. The accomplishment Montie was most proud of was becoming a Blood Brother with the Sioux Indian Medicine Man, Papa Bear Whitmore, Grandfather of the Bear Clan in August 1998. His Sioux name was Washta-Canta which means Good Heart.
Montie’s good heart shone through in his relationships with people; conversations with friends and colleagues included great stories rich in detail, jokes, and bits of wisdom. Known for his dry sense of humor and his big laugh, Montie was considered by some to be the “Life of the Party.”
Montie enjoyed spending time with his family, day trips to the casino, hunting, fishing, trips to the Black Hills, woodworking, tracking his family ancestry, dabbling in the art of Schnapps making, sunsets at Lake Madison, and a nightly cribbage game with Karen while enjoying a cocktail.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Karen Horn, Sioux Falls, SD; four children, Jeffrey (Holly) Horn, Indianapolis, IN, Brian (Mary) Horn, Sioux Falls, SD, Nancy (David) Janak, Westminster, CO, and Matthew (Christina) Horn, Hartford, SD; nine grandchildren, Kayree, Lindley, Shayla, Justin, Tasha, Kaitlyn, Ethan, Aubriana, and Stella; nine great-grandchildren; Karson, Kinsley, Lathan, Trace, Brynn, Bryson, Callen, Jack, and Nora; as well as many other relatives and friends.
Montie is preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Mary Horn; five siblings; great grandchild, Hadley Horn; and mother-in-law, Esther Clauson.