Arthur “Art” Leonard Horst, 64, passed away on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his family.
Celebration of Life will be held at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Boonie's on the Ave. The Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made in his honor to the Durant Volunteer Fire Department. Online condolences may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com.
Art was born on June 18, 1962, in Muscatine, the son of Leonard and Carole Wulf Horst. He married Lori Sue Ward on Feb. 14, 1992, at the Faith United Church of Christ. She preceded him in death on Aug. 28, 2026. They had been happily married for 34 years.
Art was a 1980 graduate of Durant, where he was class president, and a 1982 gradu-ate of Muscatine Community College, where he earned his associate's degree in field and fertilizer marketing. He worked at a couple dairy farms, Ken Grunder & Sons and Blue Knoll farm. He then worked at Voelkers Plumbing, worked as an assistant to the public works director for the City of Durant, and was a public works director in Buffalo for several years. Ultimately, he owned and operated his own business, Horst Plumbing, where his motto was “Good to go.” He also volunteered at the Durant Fire Department for 24 years.
Art enjoyed hunting, fishing, and riding his Harley. Most of all, he enjoyed watch-ing his grandson play sports.
Art is survived by his children, Toby (Sarah) Kern of Letts, Landon (Alisa) Krueger of Moline, and Chandler (Derek) Wehmeyer of Tipton; grandchildren, Maleah (Alex) Wright of Reedsburg, Wis., Arianna (Thomas) Burns of Muscatine, Hannah Brennan of Duncan, Okla., Mathew Brennan of Moline, and Carter Wehmeyer of Tipton; three great-grandchildren; sisters, Lynne (Jeff) Schroeder and Rebecca Porter; sisters-in-law, Trina Ward and Nancy Ward; aunt, Kathy Chalupa; and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lori; brothers-in-law, Mark “Wardy” Ward and Tom Ward; and his best friend, Jeff “Fred” Hendrych.
The family would like to give a special thank you to his friends that he considered family, Pete Smith, Randy Fox, Joel Meincke, Joe Vastine, Matt Hendrych, Steve Rock, and Tim Krummel. The family would also like to give a special thank you to the Urology Group and Dr. Harb and Mercy Genesis Oncology and Dr. Porubcin.
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