David A. Horban, age 60, of Altoona, Wisconsin, passed peacefully from this life to eternal life in Heaven, on Friday, October 21, 2022, at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN, due to multiple health complications, with family by his side.
Dave was born on April 14, 1962 at Victory Memorial Hospital in Stanley, WI, the third son of Joe and Emily (Manier) Horban. He grew up in rural Stanley, Worden Township, attended area schools and graduated from Stanley-Boyd High School with the class of 1980. In August 1980 Dave enrolled in District One Technical Institute (CVTC), Eau Claire, WI, graduating with honors, May 21, 1981 with a vocational diploma in Auto Body Technology, receiving recognition as outstanding student in his major. Following graduation David moved to the New Richmond, WI area and worked a couple years for Johnson Motors. Dave then took a position at Kirk’s Collision in Star Prairie, WI, where he worked for 20 years. He then worked a couple years in River Falls, WI at Hove Auto Body. David also worked at an injection molding plant, making plastic car parts, a job he really enjoyed for a couple years until the plant closed.
Throughout Dave’s career in auto body he also did custom restoration work on vehicles for private individuals, receiving many trophies and awards for his exceptional detailing work, such as award winning “Complete Restoration” of a Pontiac Tempest and a Volkswagen “Thing”!
While still at home, in Junior/Senior high-school, Dave cut a 1959 Chevy in half, shortened it and, using the body, frame, motor and transmission from three different cars he built one complete car that actually ran and someone bought from him! Dave was proud of that, and his brother, Ron, said of him he was an artist with anything with a motor! David credited working with his father, Joe, for his interest and expertise in auto body restoration.
On June 19, 1996 David married Sara Munio, later divorcing in 2007.
In September 2006 Dave moved to Roberts, WI, residing there until health problems made it necessary for him to move to assisted living, first in Woodville, WI, in August 2017, then in Eau Claire, WI, in 2019 and finally in Altoona, WI, in August 2021 where he resided until his passing. Dave enjoyed attending car shows, fixing anything, especially old cars, and hot dogging around on anything with wheels! According to his niece, Katie, and nephews, Brian and James, Dave was the “fun uncle” who kept their “wheels” running and cracked us all up with his practical jokes! He relished the times he could entertain us with his own fireworks display, and also as the grill master, (mostly steak), Dr. Pepper in hand, and always love and laughter together as a family! David had a tender heart he kept hidden from many, except his family, and we were blessed to call him brother, brother-in-law, uncle and friend. He was unique and special, and Dave will be greatly missed and loved by his family.
Dave is survived by his older sister, Carol (Steve) Mohr, Stanley, WI and their families; brother Ron (Jolene) Horban, Indianapolis, IN, and their families and younger sister, Cathy (Randy) Winger, Eau Claire, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe (in 2000) and Emily (in 2022) Horban and his brother, Joe H. Horban (in 2008).
An 11 a.m. memorial graveside service at Worden Cemetery, rural Stanley, is planned for Saturday, May 27, 2023, with a noon picnic lunch at the home of Steve and Carol Mohr. In case of rain, the service will also be at the Mohr home. Plombon Funeral Services is assisting the family.
The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Care Partners Assisted Living, Briar Lane, Altoona, WI, and the doctors, nurses and staff at HCMC in Minneapolis, MN for their kind and compassionate care for David in his final days.
