James Gerard Horning, 53, Grafton, died October 25, 2019 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, October 31, 1:30 PM, at St. Vincent’s Care Center, 1021 N 26^th St, Bismarck with Rev. Chris Kadrmas officiating.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 30, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E Divide Ave, Bismarck. A rosary/vigil service will begin at 7:00 PM.

Burial will be held on Thursday, October 31, at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bismarck.

James was born February 18, 1966 in Bismarck, the son of Henry and RoseMary (Reisenauer) Horning.  In 1965, the measles vaccine did not exist and unfortunately RoseMary contracted German Measles while pregnant with Jimmy.  Therefore, he was born with Rubella Syndrome during the 1965-1966 epidemic. Due to his precarious health, he became a resident of the Life Skills Center in Grafton ND. He left the center to attend the Deaf-Blind program at the North Dakota School for the Blind in Grand Forks.  After that program ended, Jimmy returned to the Life Skills Center where he remained for the rest of his life. 

When Jimmy was younger, he loved to swim and jump on the trampoline.  He was known for his sense of humor.  All of his life, Jimmy had a deep attachment to his father Henry. 

Jimmy is survived by his mother, RoseMary Horning, Bismarck; his sister, Colleen (Ron) Gardner, Olathe KS; his brother, Mark Horning, Bismarck; his nieces, Marie (Thomas) Swanson, Overland Park KS and Carolyn Gardner, Olathe KS; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was proceeded in death by his father, Henry; his grandparents Christ and Rose Reisenauer and Henry and Anna Horning.

His family would to extend their extreme gratitude to the staff, past and present, of the Life Skills Center in Grafton for their loving care these past 49 years.  They were more than caregivers; they were his family.