Viola M. Borgerding

1927 - 2025

Viola M. Borgerding, 97, of Freeport, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, March 6, 2025, at Cura of Melrose Care Center in Melrose.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 14, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport with the Rev. Daniel Walz officiating and the Rev. Roger Klassen, O.S.B., concelebrating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.
Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday, March 13, and 10-10:45 a.m. March 14 at the church. Christian Mothers, Catholic United Financial and Goldenaires Senior Citizens will pray a rosary at 4 p.m. March 13 at the church.
Viola Marie Klaphake was born Aug. 20, 1927, in Millwood Township, Stearns County, Minnesota, to Alphonse and Rose (Thieschafer) Klaphake. She was united in marriage to Leo Borgerding June 22, 1949, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in St. Rosa. The couple lived on a farm near Freeport. After she was widowed in 1982, Viola built a house on the farmland one block away in the city. She worked over 20 years as a cook at the Sacred Heart School. She lived by faith and was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport, Christian Mothers, Catholic United Financial and Daughters of Isabella. She was involved in her community as a member of the Freeport Planning Commission and the Melrose Historical Society. Viola played in four card clubs and was a member of the Aquina Book Club for 50 years. Viola enjoyed dancing with Leo, playing cards, quilting and gardening but would rather have been driving tractor or being outside helping on the farm. In retirement, she enjoyed golf, bowling and watching sports. She loved to travel, and her favorite places were Europe, Nova Scotia, Alaska and Hawaii. She is known for her apple pies and caramel rolls.
Survivors include her children, Clifford (Linda) Borgerding of Avon, Marian (Douglas) Brunette of Hudson, Wisconsin, Yvonne (John) Cullen of Minnetrista, Neal (Lea) Borgerding of Freeport and Ann (Christopher) Sieben of St. Joseph; 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson and one on the way; brothers and sister Jerome (Joyce) Klaphake of Freeport, Juletta "Julie" (James) Moening of Apple Valley and John (Mary Jane) Klaphake of St. Rosa; and brother-in-law Urban Wensmann of Albany.
Viola was preceded in death by her husband, Leo Borgerding, Feb. 23, 1982; parents Rose and Alphonse Klaphake; infant twin grandsons Casey and Clay Borgerding; brothers and sisters Gilbert Klaphake, Arlene Van Beck, Geraldine Wensmann and infant brother Oswald Klaphake; sister-in-law Sally Klaphake; and brothers-in-law Ruben Van Beck and DeWayne Schiffler.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Sacred Heart School in Freeport.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Freeport.