Reuben W. Borchardt

Reuben W. Borchardt

September 23, 1932 - February 3, 2019

PLYMOUTH - Reuben William Borchardt, 86, of Mason City, formerly of Plymouth, Iowa, died Sunday, February 3, 2019, at Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 9, 2019, at St. John's Lutheran Church of Rock Township, 1202 390th Street, west of Osage, Iowa, with Rev. Roy Ott officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Friday at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, 702 State Street, Osage. There will also be visitation at the church one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

Reuben was born on the family farm near Plymouth, Iowa, on September 23, 1932, to Emil W. and Clara M. (Wilde) Borchardt. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church of Rock Township near Grafton, Iowa. Reuben grew up on the family farm and lived there until moving to Mason City in 2016. He attended country school and also the Plymouth school through the eighth grade. Reuben was united in marriage to Zola V. Nordyke on November 14, 1954, at St. John's Lutheran Church of Rock Township. To this union were born two children, Jean and Dennis.

Reuben dearly loved farming and he took great pride in keeping everything in great shape. He was a hard worker and a quiet man but always enjoyed a good laugh. After he retired from farming, he continued to help his son with field work and livestock for many years.

Reuben served on several Co-op Boards through the years and on various church council positions.

He loved to go fishing, especially with his kids and grandchildren. Reuben and Zola enjoyed playing cards, traveling and getting together with family and friends. He and Zola also enjoyed all the road trips they took with siblings through the years and in later years with their daughter.

Family was everything to him and he loved having the grandchildren and great-grandchildren visiting the farm.

Reuben is survived by his wife of 64 years, Zola Borchardt of Mason City, Iowa; daughter, Jean (Jeff) Gallogly of Vincent, Iowa; son, Dennis (Denine) Borchardt of Plymouth, Iowa; four grandchildren, Heather Armstead, Josh (Holly) Borchardt, Rachel Borchardt and Andrew Borchardt; five great-grandchildren, Ravyn, Devin and Jaden Armstead and Dillon and Mattie Borchardt; one sister, Irene Ward, of Mason City, Iowa; two sisters-in-law, Hazel Nordyke of Eldora, Iowa, and Darla Barrett of Peoria, Illinois; and several nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, John Gallogly; four brothers-in-law, Mervin Nordyke, Donald Nordyke, Leonard "Dugan" Nordyke and Walter Ward; and sisters-in-law, Rosemary Nordyke and Neva Whitmore.

Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home 641-732-3706

www.champion-bucheitfuneralhome.com