Elsa Borchardt

ELSA M. 'SUNNY' BORCHARDT, 87 ROCKFORD - Elsa M. "Sunny" Borchardt, 87, of Rockford passed away peacefully Saturday, May 21, 2011, in PA Peterson Center for Health. Born Oct. 20, 1923, in Oslo, Norway, the daughter of Carl and Ingrid (Leiberg) Nystrom. She immigrated to the U.S. before her first birthday. Attended the University of Wisconsin with a home economics major, and there she met Robert E. Borchardt of Milwaukee. They married June 13, 1943, in Wisconsin and immediately moved to Rockford, where the groom took a position with the Barber-Colman Co. Attended Faith Center, where she was active as a counselor. In that capacity, she was a loyal friend and an exceptional listener, with a bright disposition and sunny smile. She enjoyed swimming and playing bridge, read avidly and was an accomplished artist. She was a loving wife and a devoted mother, grandmother and great­ grandmother, who will be deeply missed. Survivors include son, Steven (Cynthia) Borchardt; daughters, Lynn Lindquist and Janice (Henry) Kooistra; grandchildren, Sarah (Robert) Murray, Andrea (Robert) Gardner, Melissa (John) King, Rebekah (Michael) Russell, Lon (Mary), Benjamin (Heather), Gabriel (Donna), Andrew (Kimberly), Caleb (Karla), Peter, Samuel, Abigail and John Lindquist, Nicole and Rachel Kooistra; and 32 great­grandchildren. Predeceased by her husband; and brother, Nils Nystrom. Service at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 25, in Delehanty Funeral Home Ltd., 401 River Lane, Loves Park, with visitation from 10 a.m. to service time; John Johnson will officiate. Burial in Scandinavian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Noah's Ark. For more information, visit delehantyfh .com.