Ralph Borgerding

Ralph B. Borgerding, age 84 of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at the CentraCare Care Center in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. Friday, May 28 at St. Paul’s Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Greg Paffel officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors provided by the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre and from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. Friday at the church.

Ralph Bernard Borgerding was born November 14, 1936 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota to Herman and Bernadine (Hoeschen) Borgerding. He completed his elementary and high school education in Sauk Centre and joined the National Guard in 1955. In 1957, Ralph attended the NCO Academy in Fort Carson, Colorado. Ralph worked as a farmhand until 1963, at which time he attended the Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, graduating in 1965.  He was united in marriage to Arlis Lahr on June 23, 1964 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. When Ralph became a Master Electrician, he and Arlis moved back to Sauk Centre in 1971 and started their own business, Ralph’s Electric.

He was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre where he was active as an usher and member of the Saint Faustina Adoration Chapel Committee. Ralph was highly committed to pro-life work. He was also a member of the National Rifle Association and the Heritage Foundation.  Ralph enjoyed hunting, fishing, working, and loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his loving wife of 56 years, Arlis Borgerding of Sauk Centre; children, Randy (Judy) Borgerding of Eden Prairie, Julie (Dan) Boue’ of Columbus, Ohio, Jerry (Sara) Borgerding of Buffalo, Steve (Sara) Borgerding of Owatonna, Mary Jo (Ron) Lewis of Blaine, Katy Borgerding of Eden Prairie, Joe (Andrea) Borgerding of Sauk Centre, and Chris Borgerding of Canandaigua, New York; 19 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren with one on the way; and sisters, Alice Sunderman of Grey Eagle, Carol Kramer of Chanhassen, and Arlene Fuchs of Elrosa.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Roger Borgerding; and sisters, Diane Barrette and Joan Hieserich.

Serving as casket bearers will be Daniel Borgerding, Thomas Borgerding, Drew Borgerding, Will Borgerding, Grant Borgerding, and Silas Borgerding.  Cross bearer will be Grace Borgerding and scripture bearer will be Marissa McKinstrey.