Thomas Borgert

1926 - 2016

Thomas J. Borgert, 90

St. Cloud

Mar. 2, 1926 - Oct. 22, 2016

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in St. Cloud for Thomas J. Borgert, age 90, of St. Cloud who passed quietly into eternal life with his family by his side, on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at Quiet Oaks Hospice House in St. Augusta. Reverend Thomas Knoblach will officiate. Entombment will take place in Assumption Cemetery Mausoleum with full military honors.

Family and friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud and one hour prior to services on Wednesday at the Church. The Knights of Columbus Council #961 will pray at 7:00 p.m.

Tom was born on March 2, 1926 in Browerville, MN, to Joseph and Marie (McDonald) Borgert. His early life was lived in Browerville until his family moved to St. Cloud in July of 1939. He maintained a strong affection for the town he grew up in and relished telling stories from his early days. He graduated from Cathedral High School in 1944 and, like most of his peers, entered the US Army. He served in the Pacific Theater in the Philippines and Korea until returning to St. Cloud after his discharge in 1946. He attended what is now St. Cloud State University where he received his business degree in 1950.

On October 6, 1950, he married Colleen Leedahl at St. Mary's Cathedral. Together, they raised six children: David (Sharon), Kate, Stephanie (Randy Odendahl), Joseph, Michael (Pam) and Mary Colleen (Jim Poepping).

Tom was a "tire man." His career was spent working in sales and management for the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company (32 years) retiring in 1983. He then worked for Gene's Tires in St. Cloud and in other positions until he finally retired in 2003.

Tom was devoted to the Church. He served as a Trustee at Holy Spirit Church from 1970 to 1990 and was a member of the Holy Spirit Choir for more than 55 years. He also served on the Calvary/Assumption Cemetery Board and received the Bishop's Medal of Merit from Bishop George Speltz in 1988. Tom was a life-long member of the Knights of Columbus Council 961 and served as both a Grand Knight and District Deputy.

Music was Tom's passion. In addition to singing in church choirs at St. Mary's Cathedral and Holy Spirit, he sang in barbershop quartets, the Orpheus Choir of St. Cloud and was a member of the Minnesota Center Chorale for more than 33 years. He also performed as a soloist and in productions of the Quite Light Opera of St. Cloud.

Tom is survived by his devoted wife of 66 years as well as his six children; nine grandchildren, Andrew (Jennifer Klein) Borgert, Benjamin (Jenna Trisko) Borgert, Caitlin (Shawn Salner) Borgert-Spaniol, Matt Borgert-Spaniol, Michael Borgert-Spaniol, Megan Borgert-Spaniol, Michael James Borgertpoepping (Taylor), Anne Borgertpoepping, Daniel Borgertpoepping; four great-grandchildren; brothers and sister, Jerome (Patricia) Borgert of Long Lake, John (Diane) of Swanville and Barbara (Donald) Snyder of Burnsville.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Rosemary and his brother, Robert.

Memorials are preferred.