Margaret A. “Maggie” Borske

Friday, September 16, 2016 2:23 pm

Margaret A. “Maggie” Borske, 85, of Decorah, died Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, at Barthell O.E.S. Home in Decorah, surrounded by her family. Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, at First Lutheran Church in Decorah, with Rev. Chad Huebner officiating. Burial was in Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah. Visitation was 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, and Wednesday beginning at 10 a.m., one hour before the service, at First Lutheran Church. Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah served the family. Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com. Organist was Marcia Engebretson. Congregational hymns were “Jesus Love Me” and “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” Soloist was Sarah Zbornik (“Children of the Heavenly Father” and “Amazing Grace”).  Casket bearers were Martin Borske, Steve Hubbard, Dan Hubbard, Owen Christianson, Tony Larson and Kevin Weselmann. Honorary casket bearers were Marilyn Larson, Ann Fjelstul, Linda Christianson, Jody Niess, Arla Ruffridge, Sharon Weselmann, Ivanell Lang and Mona Quinn.

Margaret Ann Borske, the daughter of Eber C. and Grace E. (Dinger) Frye, was born Jan. 24, 1931, in Decorah. She was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church, and graduated with the Class of 1949 from Decorah High School. Maggie was very proud to be a life-long resident of Decorah. Growing up she had a great love of horses, even riding for a summer with The White Horse Ranch performers in South Dakota. While working as a secretary for the Decorah Gas Company, she met the love of her life, Andrew Borske. They were united in marriage March 21, 1951, at First Lutheran Church in Decorah. To this union three children were born: Michael “Mike”, Lindy and Martin. Her early years were spent raising her family and doing daycare in her home. After her children were grown, she used her decorating skills to help many people at the Sherwin Williams store in Decorah. She also worked for a time with the Northeast Iowa Area Agency for Aging. Maggie enjoyed life. She was known and admired by many for her athletic ability, even doing aerobics classes into her late seventies. Maggie absolutely loved snow and was an avid downhill and cross-country skier. When it would snow in late March, she was delighted even though others were wishing for spring. She also loved to play mixed volleyball and to dance. Maggie was very artistic. She created beautiful oil paintings, knit Norwegian sweaters, embroidered, restored antique furniture and was an accomplished decorator. Maggie also was a social person. Playing five hundred, and belonging to many bridge clubs gave her great joy. First Lutheran Church was an important part of her life. She was a very active member of many church groups throughout the years.

Maggie is survived by her husband, Andrew Borske of Decorah; her daughter, Lindy (Steve) Borske-Hubbard of Decorah; her son, Martin (Cindy) Borske of New Hampton; four grandchildren: Dan (Ellie) Hubbard, Mike Hubbard, Ben (Christine) Piearson, Vanessa Piearson; three great-grandchildren: Elliot Hubbard, Jao Hubbard, Riley Piearson; one sister-in-law, Ida (Clifford) Wold of Minneapolis, Minn.; three brothers-in-law: Everett Borske of Saginaw, Mich.; Arlen (Elaine) Sunn of Iron River, Mich.; George Darrell of Iron River, Mich.; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Andrew Michael “Mike,” Sept. 24, 1973; four sisters-in-law; and two brothers-in-law.
She will be forever young!