Emmett E. Windhorst

Emmett Edward Windhorst, the middle child of Edward and Letha Pearl (Hickman) Windhorst, was born July 22, 1945, in Maryville, Missouri. Emmett attended schools in Corning, Missouri and English Grove Country School, Fairfax, Missouri. He was a member of FFA at Fairfax High School and graduated in 1963. Emmett was employed by Boulware Chevrolet, Rock Port, Missouri, where he received training in auto mechanics. Emmett then worked at Missouri Beef Packers, Phelps City, Missouri, until their closing in the early 1980’s.

In Augst of 1968, Emmett was united in marriage to Linda Hartman and made their home in Watson, Missouri, near her parents. When Missouri Beef closed, the couple moved to Denton, Nebraska, where Emmett worked at Goodyear Rubber in Lincoln, Nebraska. In 1979, Emmett and Linda moved to the family farm in Corning to help his dad. Linda passed in 1988 from complications associated with her diabetes. Emmett continued farming and raising cattle- devoted to his cattle herd, especially the little calves. In the Spring of 1991, Emmett met Connie on a blind date, and they married in December of 1991. Connie moved from Lincoln and they made their home on the family farm.

In 1994, the couple moved to Springfield, Missouri, and started a Two Men and a Truck, a furniture moving franchise. They developed the business and sold in 2000. Together, they contracted with Federal Express Custom Critical White Glove Service to become a long-distance driving team. They applied and obtained their DOT hazmat licenses, government security clearances, and traveled throughout the United States and Canada. They retired in 2007 and returned to the family farm to raise cattle and a big garden, Emmett’s two favorites! He then joined MO Valley Ag, Rock Port, in 2007, as a Commercial Applicator. He ran liquid and dry fertilizer and sprayed crops. Emmett loved everything agricultural.

Emmett’s nephew, Brian Marrison, got him interested in garden tractor pulling; this sport became the Windhorst/Marrison weekly family event. “Wolly Bully” became a fan favorite, winning many titles and trophies in Missouri and surrounding states. Emmett loved his big garden, preserving vegetables, and making sauces. He also enjoyed deer hunting, butchering livestock, making sausage, grilling and deep-frying meat, and spending time with his friends at his shop.

Emmett was a lifelong member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church, Corning, and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Mound City, Missouri. Emmett passed away Friday, November 6, 2026, at Community Hospital-Fairfax, Fairfax, at the age of 81.

The years 2024 and 2025 were quite the challenge for Emmett and Connie. In early 2024, Emmett suffered from Macular Degeneration and required eye injections. On the 16^th of October, they lost their home and possessions to a fire, causing a major loss. In February of 2025, Emmett was diagnosed with Leukemia which required chemo injections monthly in Omaha, Nebraska along with oral chemo. God’s blessings, their many prayers, and comfort of family and friends, helped guide them through the trials.

Emmett was preceded in death by his parents and first wife, Linda. Survivors include wife, Connie Windhorst, Fairfax; stepson, Curt Brennan, Lincoln; sisters, Wilma Windhorst and Louise Perry, both of Rock Port, and their families, brother-in-law, Mike (Eileen) Marrison, Fairfax, and their families; numerous cousins.

Funeral Service: 1:30 P.M., Monday, November 9, 2026, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Mound City.

The family will receive friends from 12:00-1:30 P.M., Monday, prior to the service, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Mound City. There is no open visitation.

Interment: High Creek Cemetery, Watson.

Memorials: American Cancer Society or Hope Lodge, Omaha, Nebraska.

Arrangements: Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.

www.minterfuneralchapels.com