Paul R. VanHorn

November 3, 1954 ~ January 22, 2025
Born in:
Ironton, Ohio
Resided in:
Fargo, North Dakota
Paul Ralph VanHorn was born on November 3, 1954, in Ironton, Ohio. He was raised and attended elementary school in Ashland, KY. Paul’s father Ralph was in the Navy, so he spent part of his junior high and high school years in Newport; Rhode Island; Sydney, Australia; and ultimately graduated from Kearney High School in San Diego, CA.
From 1973-1974, he attended Arizona Automative Institute in AZ. In 1976, he enlisted in the Army. specializing in explosive ordnance disposal and working with the US Secret Service at events that included heads of states throughout the world. Rising to the level of Sergeant before being honorably discharged in 1984, he served at bases in mainland US and Hawaii.
Paul married Shannon Borke in Hillsboro, ND, on July 30, 1988 (fittingly, their first date was at an NDSU Bison football game!). They raised three children in the Fargo area , Zachary born in 1989 and Brittany in 1990 and Phillip, born in 1983, a child from Paul’s previous relationship. He was an active member of Messiah Lutheran Church, ushering, singing in the choirs, and participating in Bible studies. He was also a Board member of the Red River Boys Choir while his son Phillip was a member of the choir.
Paul attended Valley City State University, graduating in 1988 with a BA in English. He attended graduate school at North Dakota State University and worked as a TA in the English Department, then earned his BS in Business in 1996. His work life outside of the military included working in sales at car dealerships, working in scheduling at U. S. Bank, truck driving for several different companies in the FM areas, driving delivery for Fed Ex, and working at Menards and SJE in Detroit Lakes, MN.
Paul and Shannon enjoyed spending time at the family lake places on Big Cormorant Lake, MN. In 2018 they purchased their own home on the lake. They enjoyed many pontoon rides, including participating in the yearly boat parade (we were the pontoon decked out in Bison colors and tossing out baggies of candy and prizes), watching fireworks, and looking for meteors after midnight in August. He and his son Zach also provided spectacular fireworks for the family and neighbors at the lake on July 4th and New Years Eve. He and Zach enjoyed golfing at various courses in lakes country. He also enjoyed traveling with Shannon and family throughout the US, from San Diego and LA to Tampa, from Niagara Falls to Seattle, and many, many places in between. He made friends wherever he went; no one was a stranger in Paul’s eyes.
Paul was the ultimate NDSU Bison fan, joining the Team Makers and purchasing season football tickets with Zach and family friends. He traveled with others to several away games, and went to Frisco, TX each time the Bison played for the FCS championship. Those on the south endzone at the Fargodome may have heard his “Here we go, Bison, here we go”
He and Shannon had just purchased a park home at the Apache Wells RV Resort in Mesa, AZ, and were looking forward to spending their winters in AZ. God seemed to have other plans. Paul passed away from a pulmonary embolism, a complication of Influenza Type A, on Wednesday, January 22. We are all greatly missing him.
Paul is survived by his wife, Shannon, three sons and three grandsons): Nathaniel (and sons Morgan and Connor), Phillip (wife Hanneli and son William) and Zachary; his daughter Brittany, sister ChuWay (James) Spragg, sisters-in-law Catie VanHorn and Ramona Borke, and niece Laura (Travis Bakken) Schumacher, as well as aunts, an uncle, and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Gail (Callihan) VanHorn, brothers Bruce Homer and David VanHorn, and father and mother-in-law Carroll and Naomi Borke.
Memorials preferred to the Fargo National Cemetery Memorial Building, Cat’s Cradle, Messiah Lutheran Church’s Hour of Worship or a charity of your choice.
Funeral Services will be on Tuesday, January 28, at 10 a.m., with visitation one hour before the service, at Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo, ND, followed by a light lunch in their Fellowship Hall. Please wear your favorite NDSU Bison attire, or something casual. The service will also be livestreamed on the website. A private burial service will happen at a later date in Riverside Cemetery, Fargo. Arrangements are entrusted to Boulger Funeral Home.
Services
Funeral Service - Tuesday: January 28, 2025 10:00 am
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
701-237-6441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
Visitation - Tuesday: January 28, 2025 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
701-237-6441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
Van Horn family- losing a close family member is hard enough, let alone too soon. I didn’t know Paul well but I know that Shannon Amma Britney always talked about him. In time your grief will lessen and your memories will bring a smile to your face.
Dear Shannon and family,
Im so very sorry for your loss. I wish I could take your pain away. I remember staying at your lake home with Lucas. So many good times. I’m here for you just as you were there for my boys and myself after Wayne passed away. Sending you hugs and prayers. Know you can call me anytime, I’m a good listener. I love you all.
Stephanie Burrell
Shannon,
Our deepest sympathies to you and your family on the loss of Paul. Please know you are in our prayers.
Patrice and Mitch Elliott
Would love to be there,Shannon. Am in travel mode that week.,please know I am there for you and truly know your hurt and love and all emotions today. Sb hard to know you have an abrupt change in connection with Paul. He truly know. Sending love and hugs.
I’m sorry to hear of your husband’s passing, Dr. VanHorn. I understand too well your grief at this time. I will pray for you and your children. Donna James, Adjunct Faculty, VCSU
I am so sorry for your loss. There aren’t words to say, but you are in my thoughts. Losing someone suddenly is so hard.
Dear Shannon and family. So very sorry for your loss. I can’t even imagine losing your husband so fast. My heart breaks for you. God bless the family of Paul.
Our deepest condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
We are deeply sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Tim and Deanna
Dear Shannon, Judy and I are heartbroken to hear the news. We will miss Paul’s can do attitude, nothing could stop him once he decided to do something. And his incredible love and caring for the lame place. We hope you can gain strength from your God, your friends, your neighbors, and all those who have been touched by Paul.