Kevin G. Horvat

Kevin George Horvat, 45, of Red Wing, died Monday, May 25, 2009 near Hermantown, Minnesota. He was born May 16, 1964 in Belleville, Illinois to George and Judy (Wall) Horvat. Growing up, his family moved to several places, including California, Texas, Kansas, Southern Illinois, Missouri and Minnesota. During his first 12 years of schooling, he attended nine different schools, graduating in 1983 from Sandstone High School in Minnesota. On October 8, 1983, he married Linnea Ann Bonnin at the United Church of Christ in Sandstone. He attended St. Scholastica College in Duluth and received his degree in Life Science Education as well as his coaching certificate in 1988. He taught at Duluth Central High School for a year as a substitute teacher for special education and was the head baseball and girls' tennis coach as well as the assistant football coach. In 1989, the family moved to Red Wing where he taught Life and Earth Sciences at Twin Bluff Middles School and in 1999, he took a position at the Red Wing High School, where he taught Biology and Advanced Biology. During his teaching career in Red Wing, he was also busy coaching 9th grade football, was assistant coach for varsity baseball and in 2007 was head coach of the varsity football team. He also coached the middle school's Science Olympia team, having taken them to nationals several times. In 1995 he furthered his education and received his Master's Degree from St. Mary's University in Winona. Kevin became an educator astronaut finalist in 2001 and participated in the training program in Houston, Texas. He introduced the Ring of Honor and was also named Teacher of the Year 2007-2008. In life, Kevin's passion was his family, teaching and coaching. He was also a skilled craftsman which was apparent in his homesâ�"having remodeled his first home and building his next two homes himself.

He is survived by his wife, Linnea of Red Wing; 3 children, Susan, Bryan and Daniel Horvat all of Red Wing; parents, George Horvat of Florida and Judy Horvat of Duluth; 7 siblings, Theresa (Gerald) Carr of Duluth, Mike (Deanna) Horvat of Thorton, Colorado, Christine (Steve) Wipson of Moose Lake, William Horvat and Michelle Horvat both of Florida, Anne (Nathaniel) Welte of Perham and Stephen (Elizabeth) Horvat of North Haven, Connecticut and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Sharon and Cynthia Horvat; maternal grandparents, Ray and Geraldine Wall and paternal grandparents, George and Laura Horvat.

Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Sunday, May 31, 2009 at Red Wing High School Gymnasium with Reverend Wayne Walther officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Team Horvat. Visitation will be 3-7 p.m. Saturday, May 30, 2009 at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and for one hour prior to the service at the high school. Memorials are preferred to Parkinson's Association, NAMI or donor's choice.