Robert Hornstein

Robert Hornstein, age 91, of Ortonville, MN, passed away in hospice care at Fairway View Neighborhoods on September 23, 2026.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Living Word Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Pastor Melanie Reiners will officiate the service, and inurnment will be at Holden Lutheran Church Cemetery in Beardsley, MN.

Robert Lee Hornstein, was born in Graceville, MN, on April 8, 1935, to Bert Hornstein and Ethel (Yost) Hornstein. He grew up near Beardsley, MN, along Big Stone Lake, where he attended Beardsley School, then Hansen’s Mechanical School in Fargo, ND.

In December of 1955, the Army drafted Robert into the 7th Infantry Headquarters Battery, 48th FA Battalion. He served in Korea and was honorably discharged in September of 1957. Robert was also active in the National Guard until 1962.

On October 7, 1961, Robert was united in marriage with Barbara Kvatum at Holden Lutheran Church in Beardsley. Together they were blessed with two children: Shelly and Steven, whom they raised by Big Stone Lake and later in Ortonville.

Robert had a mechanical mind and enjoyed operating Bob’s Auto Repair in Ortonville. No need for a repairman when he could fix it himself. He liked to come up with solutions to problems and even was an inventor with his own patent. Later on, and up to his retirement, he drove semi-truck for Quast Transfer, Inc. and had many stories.

Robert lived his entire life near Big Stone Lake, either fishing, hunting, or boating. He handcrafted his own airboat, which could be heard by the neighbors.

He was introduced to motorcycles at the age of 12, and for the next 70 years he could be seen on one of 21 Harley-Davidsons that he enjoyed throughout his life.

Robert enjoyed sharing a joke, laugh, or smile with others no matter where he was or who he was with.

Robert is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughter, Shelly (Scott) Blumhoefer; son, Steven (Tamie) Hornstein; grandchildren, Andrew (Haley) Blumhoefer, Hannah (Michael Jacks, Jr.) Blumhoefer, and Isaac Blumhoefer; brother-in-law, Dennis (Joan) Kvatum; and nephew, Richard Kvatum.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and parents-in-law: Robert and Nella Kvatum.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Living Word Lutheran Church or the Big Stone Area Healthcare Foundation.