Kyle Thomas Horlacher

October 30, 2021

Please click on the link below for the livestreaming of the Funeral Mass at 10 am   Saturday November 13, 2021.

On October 30th at 4:15 pm a beautiful soul was called home;  Kyle Horlacher passed away peacefully in the arms of his beloved wife Abby.  Kyle and Abby were fortunate to have almost 10 years together with a third of that time as husband and wife.  They met in high school and fell in love, shared their college years together at Purdue, and were married once they both graduated.  It is said that when you marry, two become one; and this was never so true as the marriage of Kyle and Abby and the true loving partnership that they shared in all they did.

They spent their married life living on the family farm.  Kyle lived all of his life on the farm that he worked with his dad and farming partner, Tommy Horlacher, and his sister, Candice Smith.  He loved farming the land in a passionate way, but especially loved harvest time.  He would often be the first one up before the sun and in the shop checking and prepping all of the equipment to ready it for the day’s work.  Sitting in a tractor, harvesting his crop, up on a grain leg, riding in the gator to check the crops with his wife and Abbi, his childhood yellow lab, solving an intricate equipment breakdown and thinking through new challenges, woodworking during the less busy farming times and figuring out how to make his next project; these were the things, the everyday things that he loved.

While his feet were firmly planted in fertile farming soil, he always said that the mountains were what called to him, any and all mountains.  His mom, Dawn Horlacher, and dad took him to the mountains early in life to ski in the Rockies at Steamboat. His dad put him on a pair of skis and taught him the basics, like how to avoid trees and how to stop, and he was a natural.  Before long he was effortlessly swishing and turning down black diamond runs.  He so enjoyed skiing with his dad out west, snowmobiling adventures with mom and dad, and spending the chilly mountain evenings with his mom.  He was fortunate that he was able to share this with his Abby as well, in a skiing adventure to Steamboat, a family vacation to Yellowstone where they were never truly lost, and a camping vacation to the Grand Tetons for just the two of them where the beauty of God was present all around them.  But it wasn’t just the Rockies that called him.

Kyle and Abby would sit together at night and plan their next vacation and determine where the call would lead them.  Once it was decided where they were headed, Kyle was the researcher.  Looking up the best hiking adventures, the best ice cream joints to see if they could find one that beat out Mr. C’s in the Keys (they never did, but it didn’t stop them from continuing the daily search), a good place to stop for dinner along the way, or the stories on the local lore and history.

It is said that the natural sister to the mountains is the ocean, and this was true for Kyle.  While the mountains called him, the ocean whispered to him.  It was on the ocean in the Florida Keys that he discovered the quiet solitude of fishing with his grandpa or kayaking with his mom and Abby. He loved the keys almost as much as the mountains because to him they symbolized family.

Kyle loved all of his own family, Abby’s family, his Purdue family, the Amplify family; all of them.  He would be the first to step up when something needed to be done and would do so humbly.  He loved playing sports, whether it be the Mulberry Little League baseball games or Intramurals at Purdue or basketball and baseball at Prairie.  He was competitive, but it wasn’t the competition or winning that he loved as much as just being with his team, with his friends and enjoying these families and the time spent with them.  He loved his YouTube Channels and swore you can find how to do anything on YouTube.  He loved the leftovers his mom would bring back home after working concessions for his sister’s cheer team, where the whole team considered him their little brother.  He loved going on rides in Abby’s truck and looking at not just their fields, but all the fields for Abby’s work and discussing the progress of each of them.  He loved when it was time each spring to go pick up the trash in their field because it meant that planting was just around the corner.  He loved binge watching shows with Abby on Netflix and documentaries on true crime because he loved the insight into the human mind.  He was the king of one liners and funny memes and was sure to send you one of those when you least expect it but just when you needed a good laugh.

Kyle and Abby’s honeymoon called them to Hawaii, to Diamond Head, and the island of Oahu; a perfect combination of both the ocean and the mountains.  In true Kyle research ahead fashion, when they found themselves on a secluded beach at sunrise when the Hawaii false nuclear missile alert sounded, Kyle said not to worry,” I researched what to do in case this happened” and they headed to an old WWII bunker nearby.  Kyle fell in love with Hawaii and would often say that he just loved the smell of Hawaii.  He loved its ancient history and there discovered the Makau, the Hawaiian Bone Fish Hook.  Its ancient story spoke to Kyle as not just a fisherman but as a man of faith.  It is said that the Makau symbolizes strength and determination and provides safe journey for body and spirit.  It is worn as a necklace with the bone touching the skin so that over time the bone acquires the essence or “mana” of the wearer. It is then an heirloom that is passed to a loved one so that they can carry that person’s mana with them and it would give them strength and safe journey as well.

It would be Kyle’s wish that his mana, his spiritual energy of power and strength be carried with each and every one of those that knew him and was dear to him.

And now “The mountains are calling me.

I must go.

My spiritual guide is my compass during my journey of life.

I must find my path and overcome obstacles so I may rise high and stand tall and proud.

My path leads me and calls me towards the mountains, to the skies, to my eternal life.”

 

Kyle asks that in lieu of flowers please make a donation to either the Ronald McDonald House in Winfield, IL known as RMH Near Central DuPage Hospital or the Mother Teresa fund at St. Thomas Aquinas in West Lafayette. These are two organizations that Kyle truly held dear to him. Addresses are as follows; Ronald McDonald House Charities, Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, Chapter Business Office, 1301 W. 22nd Street, Suite 905, Oak Brook, IL 60523, Ronald McDonald , House Donation, Designation to: RMH Near Central DuPage Hospital, or St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Attn: Mother Teresa Fund, 535 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47906, Mother Teresa Fund at St. Tom’s, Select Mother Teresa Fund and Designate in Note Section that it is in Kyle’s Memory.

Visitation and Services

Visitation will be 3-7 p.m. November 12, 2021 at Goodwin Funeral Home, 200 S. Main St., Frankfort, IN and from 9-10 a.m. November 13, 2021 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, West Lafayette. Funeral mass will be 10 a.m. November 13, 2021 at St. Thomas Aquinas, 535 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN.

Survived by:

Kyle leaves behind his beloved wife Abby. His father and mother, Tommy and Dawn Horlacher. His in-laws Jim and Judy Clark. His Siblings through life and marriage: Candice and Beau Smith, Sam and Megan Clark, Kristen and Brent Ruder, and Katye Tuyo. His nieces and nephews who loved him: Holland, Charley, Henry, Eliza and Noah. And many close family and friends.

Preceded by:

He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Steven Tuyo, his Uncle Dave Horlacher and his grandparents, Robert and Connie Maxey, David and Leona Horlacher, and Frank Dijak.

Condolences

Leave your Condolences

29 Condolences for “Kyle Thomas Horlacher”

  1. John and Carol McNelly November 2, 2021 at 4:44 pm

    Abby, we are so incredibly sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and sending prayers and love.

  2. Lucy Clark November 2, 2021 at 5:28 pm

    I’m so very sorry for your loss.

  3. Joann Pearson November 2, 2021 at 6:17 pm

    Dear Abby, So sorry for your loss. May you feel God’s loving and comforting arms around you during this time of deep grief. Hugs and prayers to you and the families.

  4. Jim and Kay Isenhower November 2, 2021 at 7:34 pm

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you!!! So very sorry.

  5. Bob Rankin your granddads friend in the Elks! November 2, 2021 at 9:12 pm

    I remember such a dynamic young man on the slope in Steamboat! May he be in the comfort of the almighty and may God give his many loved ones strength!

  6. Connie Remaly Robbins November 2, 2021 at 10:51 pm

    I am so sorry to hear about Kyle. I didn’t have the pleasure to know him, but I grew up around his family, he had good role models.

  7. Linda Hagemann November 2, 2021 at 10:57 pm

    Thoughts and prayers go out to you and your entire family. Kyle was an amazing young man and always made me smile when I came in for my volunteer shifts at Ronald McDonald House. His stories about farming and his work on the house always made me laugh. Kyle will always have a very special place in my heart as well as your entire family.

  8. Rhonda S. McLaughlin November 3, 2021 at 10:28 am

    I’m so sorry to hear about Kyle’s passing. He was a wonderful young man and I loved seeing him with Abby. My prayers are with all of you.

  9. Rick and Tanny Irwin November 3, 2021 at 11:35 am

    So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for all of the family.

  10. Matt & Jane Letsinger November 3, 2021 at 1:42 pm

    Dearest Abby,
    No words will comfort you at this heartbroken time; please know that you are surrounded by the love & prayers of not only your immediate family but that of an extended family as well! We only shared a little time with Kyle. However, you being in Sarah’s wedding and the time I spent with you, I felt like I knew Kyle forever. You are not only important to Sarah but Matt and me. We are sending all the prayers and love that we can at this sorrowful time. Please know we share your grief and sorrow and pray that God & and our Blessed Mother wrap their arms around you with comfort.
    We love you, Abby.
    Matt & Jane Letsinger

  11. Trish O’Boyle November 3, 2021 at 3:45 pm

    Kyle sounds like a remarkable young man. So sorry to his wife and family for your loss. I’m friends of Holly Lousaeert and she loved Kyle.

  12. Mari Ann (Hazlett) Paton November 3, 2021 at 5:23 pm

    I am so very very sorry for your loss. Kyle’s obituary is beautiful and contains so much love in every word. I know that Heaven gained another angel when the Lord called Kyle Home. May the Lord wrap His arms around you during this incredibly sad time and give you comfort and solace as only He can do. My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family. May the Lord bless you and keep you and may His face shine upon you and give you peace.

  13. Anne & Greg McCune November 3, 2021 at 7:27 pm

    Abby, we are so sorry for your loss. Keeping you all in our prayers! Kyle was one of God’s precious soul’s.

  14. Paul and Amy Harshman November 3, 2021 at 9:38 pm

    Very sorry to hear of Kyle’s passing. Sending prayers.

  15. Tom and Marcia Dickerson November 3, 2021 at 10:32 pm

    Abby, We are so sad to hear of Kyle’s passing. You, and your families have our prayers and deepest sympathy.

  16. Marie Whitney November 3, 2021 at 11:18 pm

    Dear Dawn,
    I am reminded lately that grief is a form of love. I still remember Kyle from that time years ago when we all went to Atlantis.
    Marie Whitney, Lakeland FL.

  17. Sandra Poppe November 4, 2021 at 10:13 am

    My heart is overwhelmed, for you, his mother Dawn and his dad Tom. There is nothing worse than losing a child, no matter the age. My prayers are with all of his loved ones.

  18. John Obermeyer November 4, 2021 at 10:32 am

    Abby, this obituary allows me to know a kindred spirit that I never met in person. Beautifully said. Thank you for sharing Kyle with us. May you be comforted and touched by the Lord during this time of sorrow, and cherish the years of sweet memories!

  19. Carole Reed Talbert November 4, 2021 at 12:38 pm

    We are so sorry for your loss, but Thank God for an Eternity spent forever with our Lord & Savior Jesus & our loved ones who’ve gone on before us. Please take comfort in that promise & that Father God will be with you as you continue this earthly journey. In His Service….your neighbors,
    Robin & Joy Reed
    & Sister Carole

    • Candice February 22, 2022 at 6:45 am

      Thank you, ALL. He is happy and for that, we are thankful. We know he is surrounded by a good crowd in Heaven.

  20. Katie D’Addato November 5, 2021 at 12:34 pm

    Abby, I am still in disbelief this is true. I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. The love you both shared was truly such a beautiful sweet and pure witness to what it means to have God reflected in a couple. You both are incredible people, and I am so devastated your earthly time together had to be so short. I cannot begin to know what you must be feeling right now, but please know you are so very loved and surrounded by people who care about you. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

  21. Eric November 5, 2021 at 10:25 pm

    Candice, and family; as you travel through this long dark road, as I like to see it, it’s a bright road with nothing but blessings! God has called him home, for reasons unknown, but he understands he took a good one! As we struggle here on earth in pain, and sadness, just remember he is looking down, smiling and saying it’s OK!

    May God bless you, and I pray you find comfort, and peace! He’s soaring higher than an eagle.

    Eric Reynolds

  22. Karen and Chris Skadberg November 6, 2021 at 4:00 pm

    Dear Horlacher family,
    So incredibly sorry for the passing of Kyle. He seemed like a remarkable young man. Thank you for sharing a little more about him in the warm obituary written for him. Your family has farmed our Harshman farm for many years. I imagined that Kyle has helped plant and harvest the Harshman farm as being Tommy’s partner. May your memories of Kyle comfort you during this time. The Skadberg’s will keep you all close in prayer.

  23. Mark and Janet Alexander November 7, 2021 at 5:07 pm

    We were saddened to hear of the Horlacher family’s loss. The sun seems a bit dimmer when we lose the young ones.
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

  24. Susan Stoffregen November 10, 2021 at 12:11 pm

    I am so sorry to hear about Kyle. We always think there will be time to get together. Tomorrow’s are never promised & it looks like knowingly you both put so much into your time together. May his memory be a blessing.

  25. Josh and Natasha November 10, 2021 at 6:55 pm

    Abby we are sorry to hear of this event. Natasha and I are praying and thinking of you. Take care, we love you.

  26. Emily Hall November 12, 2021 at 2:43 pm

    I remember that bright little face tagging along with His mom to the cheer events. I’m sending your family all of my love. I’m so very sorry for your loss.

  27. Lindsey November 12, 2021 at 5:19 pm

    Candice,
    I am so sorry for your loss. My heart breaks for you and your family during this time. My thoughts and prayers are with you right now as we had so many fun memories at your house/farm with little Kyle running around. Love you & miss you!
    Lindsey (Milligan) Cavell

    • Candice February 22, 2022 at 6:42 am

      Lindsey,

      Oh how my heart was so happy to see your name. Thank you for your words. Those memories will never leave…He loved it when I brought friends home and was always so jealous he didn’t get to go haunted house hunting with us. LOL. I love and miss you…Very much!

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