John 6:35 “I am the bread of life, he who comes to me shall not hunger.”
Nancy Lee (Smith) Horn was born August 5, 1954 in Colorado Springs, Colorado and passed away peacefully at Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City on June 18, 2022.
Nancy was born to Bob and Alberta (Knox) Smith and joined sisters Marcia and Tricia and was later joined by brother David. Nancy grew up on the Smith Ranch in Rush, Colorado where she learned to love life. She attended elementary school at Rush and Miami-Yoder High School. The family moved to Billings in the summer of 1969. She attended Billings West High and then on to Eastern Montana College and the University of Northern Colorado where she studied education, with a specialization in education for the deaf.
While on a blind double date her sophomore year of high school, she met the guy that would become her husband and best friend. Nancy and Tom Horn were married on July 20, 1974 on the hottest day of the year in Miles City.
The couple honeymooned in Glacier Park and then moved to Greeley so Nancy could continue her education. Tom and Nancy moved back to Billings in the summer of 1975 and set about the work of making a life and raising a family. They were blessed with a daughter Jessica on July 18, 1977 and another daughter Kirsten on March 23, 1980. The family moved to the Smith Ranch at Cohagen in the early spring of 1981, where they have lived until the time of her death.
Jessica and Kirsten were joined by sister Lisa on March 4, 1983 and the family became complete.
Nancy raised three girls, bum lambs, chickens, kittens, puppies, baby pigs and even a raccoon or two as well as feeding an uncounted number of folks at brandings, shipping’s and at the youth group in Jordan. She loved to cook and always shared her wonderful homemade bread.
Her quiet unshakable faith was simply a part of her life and some of her most special memories were the Easter Sunrise Services on the “church hill,” weather permitting.
Her family was always foremost in her life – sewing clothes, making costumes for plays and Halloween and in the everyday tasks of laundry and praying for her girls as she folded their socks and underwear. There were camping and ski trips and speech meets and choir and band events as well as 4-H projects in the summer time.
As her girls grew up and left home, Nancy decided to finish her formal education. At fifty she went back to school and got a degree in graphic design at Miles Community College.
Nancy was interested in crafts of all sorts and turned her interest into hand felted vests and a line of handmade dryer balls that she shared with many friends. When she was diagnosed with cancer in April of 2017, she kept on taking care of her family and making more dryer balls as well as kitchen “scrubbies” that she shared with the doctors and staff at the Cancer Center.
Throughout the whole time she was battling cancer, Nancy never quit! She would not allow any of us to feel sorry for her nor would she feel sorry for herself. One of her biggest concerns the last months was for those of us she would be leaving behind and how we would cope. She told us “Don’t worry about me, I am going to be with Jesus.”
Nancy and Tom were blessed to help raise their grandson Logan in recent years and the bond between Logan and Nancy was very special to both of them. Logan was one of her traveling companions on the trips to Colorado and Kansas for family gatherings and a constant reason to keep fighting. When Dr. Petersen would suggest another course of treatment, Nancy’s answer was always “If it will help, yes. I need to be here for Logan.” They have been a great blessing to each other through all of this.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Alberta Smith, her grandparents, and several aunts and uncles. She is survived by her husband Tom of Cohagen, daughters Jessica McCoy (Clinton) of Park City, Kirsten Pett (Brandon) of Laurel, Lisa Horn of Jordan, grandchildren: Scott and Taylor Noble, Logan Horn and Abigail Pett; sisters: Marcia Smith (Anton Ten Wolde) of Madison, Wisconsin, Tricia Crockett (Davy) of Damascus, Oregon and a brother David Smith (Jody) of Miles City, Montana as well as numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and in-laws.
Family will receive friends on Friday, June 24, 2022 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Valley Community Church in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials can be given to the Billings Clinic Cancer Center or to Holy Rosary.
We are diminished.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday June 24, 2022
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday June 25, 2022
Valley Community Church
1004 N. Sewell
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday June 24, 2022
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday June 25, 2022
Valley Community Church
1004 N. Sewell
Miles City, Montana 59301
Brinda M Pluhar says
Tom, Jessica, Kirsten, and Lisa,
We are so sorry for your loss. Our hearts ache for you. Our family loved Nancy, such a sweet friend, always caring, always giving. She loved the children in our community and they loved “Miss Nancy”!
I will always cherish the friendship we shared ❤
May God bless and comfort you…
James Arneson says
Tom and family, I am sorry to hear of your loss. It is hard to understand what God chooses for us or our loved ones, when he calls them home. I send my deepest condolences to you all, may God bless you with the best of memories now and always.
Jim and Annalise Willson says
Tom , Jessica, Kirsten, Lisa, David
Oh so sorry to see this..Nancy was a very friendly and knew everyone. We were so praying that she would beat this challenge, but God had other plans for her. Hold all the sweet memories close. Prayers to all of you as you go through this.
Tom & Kathy Strub says
Tom and family our sincere sympathies and prayers for your memories to bring you peace. She was quite a gal.
Mark Browning says
Smith and Horn families:
So sorry to read of this news. Nancy was a role model to follow for being a positive, clear thinking true-blue friend and family member.
MARTHA CRANDALL says
I am so sorry. What a trooper.
Kathy Barta says
I am so very sorry for your loss. I am very happy that I was blessed to meet such an amazing woman. My prayers are with all of you and just know she is at peace.
Tim and Cheri Hafla says
Tom and Family,
Our deepest sympathy to your family, Nancy will be missed. God Bless..
Phil and Darlene Shawver says
TOM AND FAMILY SENDING CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS FOR ALL OF YOU NANCY WAS SUCH A POSITIVE PERSON IT JUST SEEMED LIKE SHE WAS ALWAYS GOING TO BE HERE WITH US . MAY YOU FIND COMFORT IN YOUR MEMORIES AND IN GODS LOVE . MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU
Glen and Mitzi Beecher says
Tom, Jessica, Kristen, Lisa our heart felt condolences go out to guys on this difficult time she was a nice lady God Bless.
pamela goplen says
Tom and Girls…sending you our deepest condolences. Many fond memories of your family from our short time of living in Cohagen. The girls catching minnows to sell…and Tom, the fawn is still hanging on our
wall. Nancy, Rest in Peace beautiful lady.
Pam and Mark Goplen
Teddy & Mike Landers says
Dear Tom,Lisa,Logan,Jessica & Kirsten,
We are so very sorry for your loss. Nancy is a beautiful soul and we were blessed just having known her. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mike and Teddy Landers
Susan Rogge says
We are so sorry to hear of Nancy’s passing. Nancy was a humble servant of God. She was a great encourager and friend. She inspired me in many ways. Sending my prayers and condolences to you, Tom, Jessica, Kirsten and Lisa.
Terri Fandrich says
Oh Tom, and family, I am so very sorry. Wrapping you up in prayers of strength and peace.
Kevin says
Condolences to the family
Jane and Frank Nelson says
She was a sweet lady. So sorry to hear of her passing. Prayers toTom and her family.
Bobbi says
Tom and family, you are in my prayers. I am so sorry to hear about Nancy. Sending m condolences to all of you.
Bryan, Chelsea, Gracie & Teagan Phipps says
Dear Tom, Logan and Family- Nancy was a Light. Her friendly face was always welcoming and a steady comfort for all of us. She will be missed and we pray for comfort and peace for your family.
Kelly Childers says
To all of Nancy’s family,
She was always so proud of all of you and never doubt that she will be looking out for all of you from heaven. She was always so positive in life and in faith and I feel very privileged to have known her. May your faith keep you strong as your world adjusts to life without Nancy. I know that we are all better for having known her. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Bonnie Mace says
Tom and family
So sorry to hear about Nancy. She was a trooper will miss her and her smile.
Kelly Jackson says
Nancy was such a special lady. I will cherish the memories of Easter services on the hill and potluck afterwards. Nancy left a rainbow of color on everyone she met. Generous, kind, sweet, and gentle are only a few of her characteristics. To say she had the Lord’s fruit of the Spirit is spot on. I can’t wait to see her again in our heavenly home. So glad to have known Nancy and call her a friend. Prayers for all. Miss you guys a ton.
Rhoda Phillips says
So sorry for your loss. I know Lisa from the cafe in Jordan. I have seen Tom, and his guitar, when he was with Greg Wolff. Nancy sounds like a very sweet lady and if Lisa is anything like her mother, I know she was a wonderful person.
Marian Kreitel says
To the whole Horn Family, my thoughts and prayers go out to you. I really enjoyed knowing Nancy and all of you while teaching in Cohagen. AND I REALLY ENJOYED HER HOMEMADE BREAD AS A TREAT.
Christy Green Baxter says
Tom and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Nancy’s courage in the face of this cancer battle was amazing. I remember meeting you as you moved to Cohagen and I believe watching Jessica & Kirsten was my first babysitting gig. Nancy made a difference in the lives of many. She will be missed.
John L. Moore says
Tom and family, so sorry for your loss; so glad for her faith.
Cosgriff’s says
Tom and fam. So sorry to hear about Nancy. She fought long and hard. I will surely miss visiting with her. She was so special!
Susan Ottesen says
This is such a sad thing to see. Thinking of all of you.
Mary Ann Murray says
Tom and family, I was so sorry to hear of Nancy’s passing. Thinking of your family during this time of sorrow. I always enjoyed visiting Nancy when I did see her. Memories are precious and let them be a comfort to you, Nancy is no longer suffering but resting in the arms of God.
Rita Wemmer says
Dearest Horn family, I am so very sorry for your loss of Nancy. She was a truly a wonderful, beautiful and sweet person and will be missed by everyone ♥️♥️
Prayers for all of you 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Bonnie Johnson (Lura) says
Tom I am so sorry for your loss of Nancy! I am praying for you as you heal. We never loose someone who knows the Lord, but we have the times of just missing them. That takes time and lots of hugs.but He is faithful! When you need Him, He is there! Trust me I know this! I will be praying for all of you!
Bonnie Johnson says
Lots of God hugs! And He is faithful!
Darbie Karch and family says
Tom and family: keeping you in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Nancy was a special gal and will be sorely missed by all. Hugs to u guys! 💕
Cindy Stanton says
I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. Nancy was such a faithful servant to God and her family. She loved you all fiercely. May you find peace and comfort in God’s word and your memories .
Darrell, Emma, Kayla, Michael & Dalton Higgins says
Dearest Tom, Jessica, Kirsten, Lisa & Logan ~ huge hugs and lots of love to you all. Nancy was such a sweet lady. She always had a kind word to say. I remember as a young woman coming to church with two small children, her smile and welcome just relaxed the whole thing. I appreciated that. Nancy was sincere in her love for Jesus and her walk with the Lord. You could see it on her face and hear it in her voice. She is already missed so much. May Gods love be with you all as you adapt to the new normal. Hugs and prayers to you all.
Shawna Jerrel Rothaus says
Dearest Horn and Smith Families,
I am saddened to hear this news. I always enjoyed Nancy and her beautiful spirit. She will be greatly missed.
Shawna Jerrel Rothaus
Sandi Gavin says
Tom and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers to you all.
Brianna Bogacki (Laphilliph) says
I will never forget the kindness and love Lisa showed me as I was growing up, she had the most pure and giving heart ❤️ my deepest condolences to the family.
Lee Jackson says
Kelly’s and my prayers are certainly with all of you. One of my favorite memories of Nancy was her reaction to my request for a bagel with only cream cheese after she painstakingly prepared a platter with smoked salmon. I learned that day to enjoy bagels and lox and have enjoyed them ever since! She was quite the wife, mother, daughter, and friend.
Terri says
We are so very sorry to hear about Nancy. She was such a nice, caring , loving and very friendly lady who always had a smile and kind words. Please know we have you in our thoughts and prayers and Heaven gained another beautiful angel.
Terri and Duane
Staci Beecher Bungard says
Dear Tom, Jessica, Kirsten, and Lisa,
So very sorry for your loss. My heart aches for all of you. Nancy was such a blessing to me and my family as well as everyone around her. She always had time and room for one more kid going to church camp, vacation bible study, or youth group. I will cherish these memories fondly and please know what a huge positive impact you’ve all had on my life and many others. Hugs and prayers.
Tom & Claudia says
Condolences to Tom and Family.
Sorry to hear that Nancy has passed away. May you find peace in knowing that she is free of pain and is now in the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. God Be With You All.
Taryn Lehner-Micheletto says
Nancy was such a patient and pleasant person. She will surely be missed by all who were lucky enough to know her! Thoughts with all.
Lorraine Jarden says
DEAR TOM AND FAMILY, SO VERY SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT NANCY,SHE WAS A WONDERFUL FRIEND AND FOLLOWER OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.I AM SURE SHE WILL BE MISSED FOREVER UNTIL WE ALL MEET AGAIN SOME DAY SOON. ALL MY LOVE AND PRAYERS LORRAINE JAREDN
Donna Warner says
Tom… My heart is breaking for you! I know how much you loved her through all these years. The two of you were one and I always admired that. GIRLS and Grandkids…. I wish I could put my arms around you because I know how much this hurts. The hole it leaves will always be there but fill it with love and memories. She loved you all so much.
I will miss our talks as she was an inspiration to me my whole life. She loved life and everything in it! She taught me a lot. I will miss her terribly!!!
Love you Nancy with all my heart ❤️
Ambra & Leonard says
Tom and family,
I am truly sorry for the loss of Nancy. Growing up she was like another mom for me when I needed advice for something. I will always miss seeing her when I saw her in Walmart.
Love to you all and may God bless you during this time
Al Homme says
Sorry for the loss
Kyle and Gail Shaw says
What a beautiful lady inside and out. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all
Max Mace says
Tom and Family,
I’m sorry to hear about your loss.
My prayers are with you!
Max Mace
Kelly & Jodi Pierson says
Tom and family,
We were very sorry to hear of Nancy’s passing. We always enjoyed visiting with her. We are praying for the Lord’s comfort for you and your family.
Kelly & Jodi Pierson
Pam Rogge says
Tom and family,
My condolences and prayers are with you at this time and in the days to come. Cherish the many good memories!
Pam Rogge (Mrs. Karl)
Mark Fix says
Keep your family close and remember all the good times you have had. I wish Nancy didn’t have to leave, but now her suffering is over. She will be with you every day even when you least expect it. We will all miss her.
Jenny Frady says
so sorry for the family loss , may you family be comfort and heal may god bless and may her soul rest in peace