BORCHERT, Alien G. 1926-2005

BORCHERT

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 10/19/2005 at 17:03:05

Alien (Al) G. Borchert, 79, of rural Grafton, died on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2005, at the Good Samaritan Center, St. Ansgar, IA. Funeral service will be on Wednesday (today), Oct. 12, 2005 at 10:30 a.m. at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton, with Rev. Wayne Ellingson and Irmgard Ellingson, Associate in Ministry, officiating. Burial will be in the Grafton Cemetery. Visitation was held on Tuesday at Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar.

Alien was born April 25, 1926, to George and Arminda (Rappath) Borchert, in the same house his father and all of his father's family was born, in Union Township, rural Grafton. His grandparents were one of the first three settlers in Union Township in 1871. He was baptized and confirmed at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton. He attended Union #1 Country School which was located on the family farm east of Grafton. He was proud of the fact that he completed his elementary education in seven, years. As was the custom, he then took a year off of public school to attend parochial instruction at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton. He graduated from Grafton High School in 1943. His love for sports developed early. At the age of 13, he was asked to play baseball on the high school team, standing in for an injured player. He continued to play throughout high school and following graduation played on several local independent baseball teams. His love of sports continued on and he became involved with the local high school teams as a scorekeeper for many years. As a hobby, later in his life he compiled albums of local baseball history dating back from the late 1800's to the present. He was fond of Yogi Berra's humor and wit. He worked on the, family farm following high school and then began a career in carpentry which spanned over 50 years. Initially, he began working with new house construction and remodeling, and later specialized in interior work, such as cabinetry and ceramic tile and Formica installation. He was very meticulous in his work and had no tolerance for poor workmanship. He was very proud of his craftsmanship, teaching many young people the art of the industry and admired the skilled workmanship of others. He remained on the family farm until it was necessary for him to enter the Good Samaritan Center three years ago. He took much pride in the fact that he was the third generation to live on the farm and spent much effort in keeping it in excellent condition. He enjoyed hunting and trapping, antiques and especially the family dogs throughout the years. He will be remembered by his family for his dry sense of humor, his love of visiting with family and friends and for his determination to never give up or quit trying—no matter how difficult the circumstances.

He is survived by two sisters; Pearl White of Mason City and Ruby Krueger of Wickenburg, AZ; nieces and nephews.

Alien was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Warren Borchert.

Source: Northwood Anchor, Oct. 12, 2005.