Ronald Lindy Horswell, age 87, former resident of Hutchinson, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on March 9, 2015, in Annandale, Minnesota.  Ron was born on June 25, 1927 in Armstrong, Iowa to Luella (Williams) Horswell and Lincoln Horswell. His middle name bore that of the great aviator of that same year.

Ron grew up on the family farm in Iowa, pursuing hunting, fishing and his lifelong love of baseball, in the carefree days of boyhood during the struggling years of the Depression. In 1943 the family moved to St. Paul, MN, where Ron graduated from St. Paul Central High School in 1945.

Soon after graduation, he enlisted in the Navy and following his service, entered the University of Minnesota, St. Paul campus on the GI Bill. Ron graduated in 1950 with a degree in Fish and Wildlife Management. It was there that he met Doris Jeannine Knickerbocker, whom he married in 1951. Thus began a lifelong romance of 63 years, dancing to the beat of the Big Band era. To this union were born four children: Bruce (1952), Jill (1953), Jan (1957) and Jamie (1963).

Ron and Doris moved to Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge in southern Illinois, where Ron was first employed. The young family returned to Minnesota in 1954, residing in Hutchinson until 2005. During those years Ron was employed in the insurance field, while Doris taught Home Economics. Ron's hobbies included hunting, fishing, and boating; his passion and avocation was carpentry and home renovations. Together they enjoyed community life of Jaycees, scouting, golf, bridge club and parish life at St. John's Episcopal. Retirement included traveling the world together, gardening, winters in Englewood, Florida and summers at their home on Bass Lake, on the original Knickerbocker homestead where Doris had grown up. Latter years found them cherishing the mornings watching the loons on the lake and the sunset evenings gazing across the fields for pheasants and deer.

Their greatest blessing was raising four children, the joy of fifteen grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and family gatherings at the lake.  The grandchildren will always recall stories of Grandpa's wit and humor. Ron and Doris were content in devotion to family, simplicity of lifestyle, and experiencing renewal of faith, which in the end brought full assurance and peace.

Ronald is survived by his beloved wife, Doris; children and spouses, Bruce (Barbara) Horswell, Jill (Ray) Tescher, Jan (Scott) Anderson, and Jamie (Todd) Kidder; brother, Bob (Katherine) Horswell; sister-in-law, Glenna (Irv) Marg; grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Ron was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Frances (Horswell) Gauvey and Virginia (Horswell) Medeiros; parents-in-law, Elwyn and Hazel Knickerbocker; brother-in-law, Herbert Rhoades.

Family and friends will gather this summer, June 20 ^th , to celebrate Ron's life and faith in Jesus Christ at St. Mark's Episcopal, Annandale, MN.  Cards may be sent to Doris Horswell, 365 Excelsior Ave N, Annandale MN  55302.  As a memorial, please plant a tree in honor of Ron's love of nature.