Jean Borkenhagen

Jean (Jeanette) Borkenhagen, age 76 of Hayward, died peacefully with family at her side on Friday, July 18th after a short battle with cancer.

Jean was born on July 11, 1938, on the family farm near Olivia, Minnesota, daughter of James L. and Mary (Cuta) Stadther. She was united in marriage to John E. Borkenhagen. On September 13th, 1958 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Olivia. They began their married life in Solon Springs, Wisconsin where they started their family and Jean began her first career as a loving and caring stay-at-home for their first two children. They later moved to Hayward when her husband was transferred to manage the state tree nursery there and have resided there since, raising their four children. During this time the couple built a cabin on Placid Lake and began a tree farm nearby, Placid Lake Enterprises. Jean enjoyed gardening and sharing the bounty with friends and neighbors. In addition, she and her husband made many long time friends through their tree farming business. Once her children were school age, Jean began her second career as a bookkeeper for the Sawyer County Public Health department, where she remained until her retirement in 1997. After Jean's retirement, she and her husband sold their home in town and made their cabin on Placid Lake their permanent residence.

Through the years Jean shared her joy of gardening, cooking, reading and sewing with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends. During the winter months Jean could be found making quilts to warm family and friends, and creating garland, wreaths and Christmas balls to decorate the holiday season. She also enjoyed nature which included sharing her knowledge of flowers and birds and spending time picking berries to make delicious pies and jam to share. But perhaps Jeans greatest passion was her family. Jean was a beloved wife, a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister who was always putting her needs aside for others. She was selfless with a quiet and positive presence, always there to listen, help, or simply give an encouraging word when needed. Her unbeatable positive spirit always made a difference in others lives right up to the end of her short and courageous battle with cancer. Because of this she will be sadly missed by many but also leaves behind an everlasting legacy.

Jean is survived by her loving husband John E. Borkenhagen; children: Deb Moreland (Appleton, WI) and her children Anna and Eric, John M. Borkenhagen (Rochester, MN), his wife Lynn and their children Jenna, Evan and John, Jim Borkenhagen (Madison, WI), his wife Karen Schlageter, and daughter Lucy, Sandra Borkenhagen (Hayward, WI) her partner William Fetzner, children Lisa her partner Ross Wiederhold, Matthew, Jeff, Dan, Chris,: and great grandchildren Tay and J.J. Wiederhold. She is also survived by siblings Ev Johnson (Randy), Lorraine Thompson and James E. (Ginger) Stadther and many nieces and nephews.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents James L. and Mary (Cuta) Stadther, her brother Wilfred Stadther and sister Lucille Fank.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 26, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hayward. A time for fellowship and sharing will be held immediately following the mass at the church. Officiating Father Phillip Juza.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

The family would like to thank the staff at Water's Edge care center in Hayward for their expert care and kindness to Jean during her time with them. Special thanks to Scott Somerville for his care of Jean as both a family friend and Water's Edge staff member.

Online condolences can be made at www.pineviewfuneralservice.com