DONALD HORBAN

On August 6, 2023 Reverend Donald Horban passed away peacefully with family at his side. Donald was born in Bonnyville, Alberta on March 13, 1943 to Bill and Elsie Horban. The family moved to Oshawa, Ontario when he was 3 years old. Donald became a born-again Christian at the age of 17, and he had a great passion to introduce people to Christ. From 1963 to 1965 he attended Living Word Bible College in Swan River, Manitoba where he met the love of his life Darlene Nemetchek. They married on August 21, 1965, and he said that marrying her was the best thing that ever happened to him.

In 1966 they moved to Thunder Bay, Ontario where Donald accepted the position of pastor at Living Word Tabernacle. He also worked as an electrician first at the Port Arthur Shipyards, for the Canadian Pacific Railway and then the Canadian National Railway to supplement his income. His ministry was largely visiting the poor, needy, disadvantaged families and many hospital visits. There were many answers to prayer.

Donald and Darlene were blessed with 3 daughters, Nancy, Lisa, and Christine, while living in Thunder Bay, and he loved them very much. Some of the activities he enjoyed doing with his family included fishing, camping, cross country skiing, blueberry picking, and trips to the A&W drive in. Donald also loved sharing his passion for fishing with young people from the church, and had many fond memories of events and gatherings with the congregation during his tenure.

In 1988 CNR transferred Donald to Winnipeg, where he also pastored at Living Word Temple from 1990 to 1995. He had a love for the people of Winnipeg’s North End, and he & Darlene would regularly visit families in the neighbourhood. He had a compassion for those in need, and would regularly help people in any way he was able to.

In 1995 he accepted the position as president of Living Word Ministries in Swan River, Manitoba, where he served in that position until retiring in 2010. There he was also heavily involved with ministering to the first nations people. He had a love for Israel, visiting 7 times, 5 of which he was the tour host. He and Darlene moved back to Winnipeg where he once again pastored at Living Word Temple from 2010 to 2012.

Throughout his life, Donald had a passion for sharing the gospel and leading people to a personal relationship with Christ. He cared for those he knew, and regularly witnessed to friends and neighbours. He had the privilege of seeing some of them come to Christ and encouraged them in their Christian walk.

Rosie, his pet dog, was his faithful and constant companion and his fourth daughter. One of Donald’s favourite things to do was playing rounds of Uno with his grandchildren Halina, Taylor, Ava, and Ethan. He will forever be remembered for his card shufflers and his love of playing, the game with them. Donald and Ethan also shared a love of all things trains. Taylor and him enjoyed watching episodes of Columbo together whenever he visited, and started her love of the show.

Donald is predeceased by his parents, and his sisters Margaret, Irene & Diane. Left to mourn his passing are his loving wife of 58 years Darlene, his daughters Nancy, Lisa (Roland) & Christine, and his beloved grandchildren Halina, Taylor, Ava and Ethan.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00pm on Monday August 14, 2023 at 603 Wellington Crescent in Winnipeg. 

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Pine River Evangelical Church or Cancer Care Manitoba.

A big thank you to Dr. Prinsloo and the doctors and staff at Grace Hospital.

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