Alcuin Borgerding

Alcuin P. “Al” Borgerding, age 89 of Freeport, died peacefully, surrounded by his family on Thursday, August 29, 2019 at the CentraCare Health Hospital in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 4 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport with Rev. Daniel Walz officiating. Entombment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Goldenaires Senior Citizens and St. Joseph’s Men’s Society will pray at 4 p.m. and parish prayers will be at 5 p.m., and Melrose Veterans Honor Guard will pray at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Alcuin Peter Borgerding was born February 15, 1930 in Freeport, Minnesota to Ben and Theresa (Hoeschen) Borgerding. He served in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1955 during the Korean Conflict. On February 9, 1954 he was united in marriage to Margaret Zierden at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich. After their marriage, they moved to Georgia where Al was stationed and lived on the Air Force Base. After the military, Al and Margie moved to Freeport and Al began working at the Freeport Feed Mill. They later purchased a farm a mile and a half southwest of Freeport. Al retired from farming in 1992 and began driving truck for Freeport Trucking. He enjoyed fishing, hunting in the bluffs, evening drives in the country, and woodworking. He built many bird houses.

Al was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, St. Joseph’s Men’s Society, American Legion Post 101, was on the Parish Council, Creamery Board, Oak Township Board, Fire Warden for 45 years, and one of the founding members of the Birch Lake Gun Club.

Survivors include his children, Chuck (Gail) Borgerding of New Munich, Kathy (Virgil) Lahr of Paynesville, Cheryl (Jim) Thelen of St. Martin, Jane (Dan) Schleicher of New Munich, Brian (Kathy) Borgerding of Sauk Centre, and Corey (Holly) Borgerding of Albany; 30 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren with two on the way, and 13 step great-grandchildren; sisters and brothers, Bernice “Bae” Stroeing of St. Paul, Art (Nellie) Borgerding of Cold Spring, Thomas Borgerding of Melrose, Jean (Frank) Ostendorf of St. Joseph, and John (Darlene) Borgerding of Melrose; sisters-in-law, Viola Borgerding of Freeport and Sister Geraldine Zierden, O.S.B. of St. Cloud.

Al was preceded in death by his wife, Margie Borgerding on December 21, 2015; daughter, Mary Borgerding; grandchildren, Robin Borgerding, Kimberly Lieser, and Joseph Lieser; great-grandchildren, Isaac Lieser and Parker Thelen; brothers and sisters, Leo Borgerding, Dolores “Lori” Ettel, Annella Ehlert, and infant brother, James Borgerding; sister-in-law, Ginny Borgerding; and brothers-in-law, John Stroeing, Alcuin Ettel, and Jim Ehlert.

Serving as casket bearers will be Ron Borgerding, Josh Lieser, Michael Thelen, Shawn Borgerding, Darren Borgerding, and Ethan Borgerding. Cross bearer will be Glen Borgerding and scripture bearer will be Dominic Lieser. Reader will be Cliff Borgerding. Gift bearers will be Lisa Borgerding, Kristin Schleicher, and Amanda Johnson. Eucharistic Minister will be Sister Geraldine Zierden, O.S.B.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.