Robert J. Hora, age 91 years, of Hillsboro, Wisconsin, passed away on Thursday, August 21, 2025 at Emplify by Gundersen Hospital in Hillsboro, surrounded by his loving family.

 

He was born on December 23, 1933 in Hillsboro, the son of Joe and Bessie (Holak) Hora and graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1951.  Bob then enlisted in the U. S. Army and received basic training at Fort Ord, California.  He served during the Korean War at the 38th parallel.

 

Robert was united in marriage to Velma Stekel on June 29, 1960 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mount Tabor and they recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

 

Bob began working with his father at Hora Implement in Hillsboro.  He eventually took over the management of the shop and continued to operate until the present, doing repairs and selling products.  Bob also restored several Farmall Tractors.  He appreciated his loyal customers and usually the conversations about sports or the Packers draft picks would go on at length. 

 

Over the years he served as Quartermaster for Hillsboro VFW Post 8262 for 35 years and was honored to participate in the Freedom Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in 2017.

 

Even though he had workaholic ways, Bob never missed the performances of any school activities his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren participated in.  He also enjoyed their yearly family Brewers trips, the record-breaking Easter egg coloring, New Year’s Eve Chinese buffet, Pizza Ranch birthday parties and Father’s Day mini golf.

 

In his younger days, Bob enjoyed bowling and became an avid sports fan. He attended Badger football games and faithfully watched the Brewers and Packers.  

 

Survivors include his wife, Velma; children, John (Bobbi Jo) Hora, Diane (Mike) Stockwell, Matt (Erin) Hora and Tom (Lisa) Hora; grandchildren, Brittany (Shawn) Kuester, Nick Hora (Jenna), Nate Hora, Jake (Shelly) Stockwell, Max (Kelsey) Stockwell, Grace Stockwell, Greg Hora, Andrew Hora, Allison Hora and Madelyn Hora; great grandchildren, Karson, Axton, and Eden Kuester, Sophia, Mallory, and Colby Stockwell and Vivian Stockwell; siblings, Evelyn Jindrick, Don (Jeanne) Hora, Ed (Donna) Hora and Rosemary (Leonard) Stanek, and in-laws Caroline Stekel, Jim Stekel, JoAnn and Bill Filler, Ellen and Jerry Stark, Rita Harris, Jerome Stekel, and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers-in-law, Paul Stekel, Paul Harris, and Richard Jindrick, and sister-in-law Jackie Stekel.

 

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Hillsboro, with Father Don Bauer officiating.  Burial with military rites will be in the Mount Vernon Cemetery in Hillsboro.  A time of visitation will be on Wednesday at the Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro from 4 to 7 p.m. and at the Church on Thursday starting at 10 a.m.

 

The Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro is assisting, for online information go to www.pichafuneralhomes.com