Edna Jean Horkan

On Monday, January 17, 2023 Edna Jean Horkan, devoted and beloved mother of 4 and grandmother of 12, passed away at the age of 87 of Sine Scleroderma with family at her side.

She was born in Harris, Texas on January 4, 1936, to parents Lorinna Mae and Walter Hurst.  On January 4, 1957 she married Duane (Dewey) Horkan in Baytown Texas.  They moved to Reedsburg, Wisconsin, in June 1957 to begin their life as the 4th generation on the family farm.  She was a registered nurse for over 44 years, working both at the Sauk County Nursing Home and Reedsburg Memorial Hospital. 

Edna was a gifted quilter with an eye for color and design that made her quilts works of art.  When asked to see her favorite quilts, she replied, they are in the arms of my grandchildren.  Edna loved farm living even with all the challenges and sacrifices it required.  She believed farm life would give her children a sense of family, stability, and security that children search for.

Our mother believed in higher education and lifelong learning.  After the death of her husband, Duane, she attended classes at Edgewood College in Madison, and pursued her certification as an Infection Control Nurse.  She loved reading and could discuss any topic at hand, and many times did with her grandchildren.  She spent many hours reading with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, a gift that was priceless to all of us.

Edna is survived by four children, whom her husband Duane, named with T’s after her home state of Texas: Thad (Terri) Horkan of Reedsburg; Tina Horkan from Owatonna, Minnesota; Terri (Todd) Soley of Eau Claire; and Tracy (Suzie) Horkan of Reedsburg.  Grandchildren Tiernee (Chris) Schatz, Chace (Aly) Horkan, Cole (Shelby)Horkan, Wesley Griffith, Alexa (Jack) McGraw, Kolton (Megan) Bellefy, Falconer Bellefy, Seth (Brooke) Soley, Saxton (Paige) Soley, JoEtte Horkan, Kyran Horkan, Tarek Horkan and 17 great grandchildren; her sister Marsha (Robert) Hansen of Baytown, TX; sister-in-laws Donna (Dan) Horkan, Theresa (Chuck) DeVault, Rosie (Smokey) Hurst and brother-in-law John (Rita) Bill.

A special note of deep heartfelt gratitude to Dana (Willard) Gant, Derek (Lynn) Horkan, Agrace Hospice Nurses and Casa de Oakes staff.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be sent to Partners of RAMC (Hospital Auxiliary) for Grants and Health Education Scholarships.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Edna on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at 11:00 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Reedsburg.  The Reverend Patrick Wendler, Pastor, will be the Celebrant.  A time of visitation will also be on Saturday, at the church from 9:00 am until the time of a Nightingale Service beginning at 10:45 am.  Burial will follow Mass at Calvary Cemetery in Reedsburg.

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