SAGINAW, MI – Veronica Horn, a trailblazer in public service and a cornerstone of the Saginaw community, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 25, at the age of 70. Her husband, former State Senator Ken Horn, shared the news in a heartfelt Facebook post over the weekend.
“We knew it was coming. We fought so hard to avoid this day. But it is with great sadness I share news of the passing of my beautiful Veronica,” he wrote.
“Her battle with cancer was so valiant and public, as she shared with us her health updates, both positive and uplifting. In the end, though, while her faith was strong, her mind was clear, her heart was at peace, her body was exhausted from its internal and unrelenting combat with leukemia.”
Horn served as the President and CEO of the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce since August 1, 2018, succeeding Bob VanDeventer. In this role, she managed nearly 1,000 member organizations, leading initiatives that strengthened the local economy and promoted regional collaboration. Her ability to bring together diverse voices for the benefit of the community was widely admired and played a key role in shaping the future of Saginaw County.
Before assuming her leadership role at the Chamber, Horn held the position of Executive Vice President and Senior Director of Government Relations, focusing on political affairs, public relations, and economic development. Her professional career began in government, where she worked for U.S. Congressmen Bob Traxler and James A. Barcia. During this time, she established district offices, trained staff, and handled pressing issues related to housing, healthcare, and veterans’ affairs. Later, she served as State Government Affairs Manager for Dow Corning and Hemlock Semiconductor, where she spearheaded projects such as the Downtown Saginaw Exit Ramp and the preservation of the former Saginaw Civic Center, now the Dow Event Center.
Horn earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Concordia College in Wilmington, Delaware, and completed the Certified Chamber Executive Program at the University of Arizona. She was also a graduate of Michigan State University’s Institute for Public Policy and the Michigan Political Leadership Program.
Throughout her life, she remained dedicated to continuous learning and community service, as evidenced by her involvement with organizations such as the Saginaw County Community Mental Health Board, the United Way, and Special Olympics. She was a founding member of the Henry Marsh Institute for Public Policy at Saginaw Valley State University, an initiative focused on fostering leadership in governance and policymaking.
Her contributions were widely recognized, earning her awards such as the Tom McDonald Leadership Legacy Award, the Economic Excellence Award in Saginaw County, and the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce President’s Award. In 2024, she was honored with The Michigan Banner’s Heart of the City Impact Turnaround Award for her exceptional leadership, dedication to community development, and efforts to create meaningful change in Saginaw County.
Veronica Horn will be remembered as a tireless advocate for her community, a mentor to many, and a champion of progress. Her legacy will live on in the countless lives she touched and the initiatives she championed. Horn’s dedication to her family, faith, and community will remain an inspiration to all who knew her, and her contributions to Saginaw County will be felt for generations to come.
A funeral mass will be held at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 958 E. Tuscola St., Frankenmuth, on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 11 a.m. The service will be live-streamed at www.btmuth.org. Visitation will take place on Friday, January 31, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Cederberg Funeral Home of Frankenmuth, 590 N. Franklin St., and at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
