Douglas Horrisberger

With a magnetic personality and cigar or pipe in hand, Douglas Robert Horrisberger was fondly described by many as “quite a character.”

Doug died Jan. 24, 2023 amid complications from amyloidosis brought on by wartime exposure to Agent Orange. His brief fight against the disease was as he lived his life: private, scrappy, and with focus on the joy. Doug was 80.

Born the youngest of eight on May 9, 1942 to Ordwin and Emma, Doug grew up on the east side of Saint Paul. He served his nation honorably in the Army and deployed at age 27 to war in a radio communications role in Vietnam, rising to the rank of sergeant. Doug had a fulfilling career with Knox Lumber Company, and as the owner of Star Video and Gold Star Moulding.

Doug would be the first to tell you that his smartest move was marrying his wife of 51 years, JoAnn (Rivard). Humor and love were central to their bond. An ongoing joke, Doug would say that the marriage was “47 of the best years of his life,” and JoAnn would follow with “the other four were good for me.” They shared a fondness for travel and social gatherings, and a fierce devotion to their Catholic faith and family.

A fan of Elvis and Johnny Cash, Doug was a crooner himself. He enjoyed golf, Texas Hold ‘Em, cornhole, LEGOs, jigsaw puzzles, watering the lawn and wine brewing. Vices weren’t really vices for Doug. They were part of the calling card – the four-olive martinis, topped-off glasses of cabernet and the essential end-of-night brandy or Drambuie. They fit right in with the garage hootenanny he’d host on a whim and carry late into the night.

Nothing made Doug happier, though, than his family. Doug is survived by his wife, JoAnn; daughter, Dawn Bakst (Brian); son, Benn (Holly); the grandchildren he adored, Gabe, Audrey, Sam, Madelyn and Zane. Preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Bob, Bud, Dick, Dale, Ron; sisters, Shirley and Joan.

 Visitation at Mueller Memorial, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave, White Bear Lake on Tuesday, January 31 from 4-7:30pm (eulogy + toast at 6pm).

Funeral Mass at Transfiguration Catholic Church in Oakdale on Wednesday, February 1 at 11am with visitation one hour prior. Interment at Fort Snelling to immediately follow.