Borchers, Benhard 1872-1953

BORCHERS, SIEBENS

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 11/25/2008 at 16:26:29

LeMars Globe-Post
January 26, 1953

BENHARD BORCHERS

We were unable to bring our readers the sad news last week that Ben Borchers passed away. He died peacefully after a lingering sickness on Thursday afternoon. For 72 years he lived in Preston Township and was well known in that community. This was evident at the funeral last Sunday which was one of the largest ever held in St. John’s Lutheran Church, as many hundred of people paid their final respects. Following is the obituary of Benhard C. Borchers.

Benhard Christian Borchers, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Borchers was born August 2, 1872 at Monee, Ill. In early infancy he became a child of God and was baptized in the Lutheran faith. When he was eight years old, he came with his parents to Plymouth County , Iowa, and with them homesteaded in Preston Township. He was confirmed in Christ Lutheran Church, Grant Township by Pastor Bunge and remained true to this faith which he confessed until his death. On February 24, 1899, he was united in holy matrimony to Miss Minnie Siebens at the home of her parents in Johnson Twp. This union was blessed with 6 children, 2 daughters and 4 sons; of these his son, Eilert, and an infant son preceded him in death.

For 42 years he was a farmer in Preston Twp. and lived on his farm 4 miles west and one mile south of Craig, Iowa, until he retired in 1941. By the grace of God he and his wife were privileged to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary February 24, 1949 and at the time of his death they had enjoyed nearly 54 years of a happy wedded life.

He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Preston Twp. and had served on the church council. He was a faithful and active member of the church and until the time of his sickness was a regular visitor at the divine service. He had been a member of the school board and of the township board for about 25 years. For about 30 years he was an agent for the German Farmers Mutual Insurance Association.

Mr. Borchers enjoyed good health until about 70 years of age when he contracted arthritis. For the last three years he also suffered from dropsy; but the length of his last sickness was about 5 months. Because of other complications and old age he suffered considerably the last few weeks. But it was remarkable that in spite of his suffering, he did not complain; he remained humble and patient and as a true child of God submitted to the will of his Heavenly Father who “doeth all things well.” On January 4th, the day of the installation of his pastor, he and his wife partook of Holy Communion and thus he was strengthened for the walk through the valley of the shadow of death. He appreciated the sick calls of his pastor and visibly received strength and comfort from God’s Word ready to meet his Savior who loved him and gave Himself for him. He peacefully passed away January 22, 1953, at 4:45 p.m. at his country home two miles west of Craig. He reached the age of 80 years, 5 months and 20 days.

The passing of a kind husband and father is mourned by his sorrowing wife, Mrs. Minnie Borchers, two daughters, Anna (Mrs. Charles Moeller of Sioux Center), and Helen (Mrs. Richard Stuckenbruck also of Sioux Center, Iowa); two sons, Louis of Ireton, Iowa, and William, also of Ireton, Iowa; by 8 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; and two brothers, William Borchers of LeMars and John Borchers of Akron, Iowa. Three brothers and three sisters preceded him in death: Henry, Louis and August Borchers; Mary (Mrs. John Dirks), Annie (Mrs. Charles Mammen) who passed away in December 1952, and Minnie (Mrs. Mike Eilers.)

May the Lord comfort the sorrowing relatives with the hope and assurance of the resurrection and the blessed life to come.

The funeral service was conducted last Sunday, Jan. 25, at the St. John’s Lutheran Church of Preston Twp., with the pastor of the church, Rev. Henry J. Dirks officiating; this was preceded by a brief service at the home. Interment took place in the church cemetery.

In Heaven there remaineth a blissful rest for me

A joy that never wanteth a life from sorrow free

Though tears I here be weeping and bitter sorrows know

I am in Jesus keeping that sweetens all my woe.

The Pallbearers were: W.E. Barker, Walter Rohlfs, George Johnson, Herman Pecks, Fred Grosenheider, and Cliff Noble.

Relatives attending from a distance were: Mr. and Mrs. George Sathoff Sr., and Mr. and Mrs. George Sathoff Jr., and John Sathoff, all of Tampico, Illinois, and Wm. Eilers of Peotone, Ill.