Henry “Hank” Horstmann | News, Sports, Jobs

Henry was born on August 26, 1933, in Spring Creek Township, the son of Henry Sr. and Toni Horstmann. He lived on a farm near Garwin until the second grade, then moved to a farm near Gladbrook, which became his lifelong home. Henry graduated from Gladbrook High School in 1951 and began farming after graduation. He later volunteered for the U.S. Army, serving at Ft. Hood, Texas, and was honorably discharged in 1957. While in service, he married Arlene Arp in June 1956 at the Peace United Church of Christ in Gladbrook.

Henry continued to farm the farm for over 50 years, raising dairy cattle, beef cattle, chickens and pigs. He and his wife raised four children: Carol, Carma, Michael and Cindy.

Henry enjoyed playing cards, dancing, traveling and especially spending time with his family. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and often attended their sports and activities.

Henry was a member of the Peace United Church of Christ, a former Jaycee, and served nine years on the Lincoln Co-op board and twenty-six years on the Farmers Mutual Insurance board. He was also a Lincoln Township Trustee. In 1982, he was named a Masters Pork Producer and received a wind break award from the Tama County Soil and Water District in 2015. A proud veteran, he was a member of the Gladbrook Legion Post #127 and was honored to receive a Quilt of Valor in 2023.

Henry is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Arlene; children Carol (Dean) Aldrich of Green Mountain, Carma (Stan) Sturtz of Newton, Michael (Erika) Horstmann of West Des Moines, and Cindy (Casey) Gibbs of Grinnell; grandchildren Andrew (Lindsay) Aldrich, Austin (Tempestt) Aldrich, Mallory (Jack) Shipley, Chandler Sturtz, Garrett Sturtz, Raymond Horstmann, Sheila Horstmann, Cody (Carli) Gibbs, and Cally Gibbs; great-grandchildren Ander Aldrich, Julian and Ruby Shipley; and sister Irmgard Kadner of Conrad. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law. Henry was a quiet man who loved his family dearly.