Walter R Borner
May 05, 1934 - January 10, 2012
Obituary
Borner, Walter Ralph MADISON-Walter Ralph Borner, age 77, was called to eternal life by his heavenly father on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012. He was a man of great strength and purpose. He maintained his wit and determination despite living with dementia and declining health for the last few years. When asked how he was feeling, “with my fingers” was the usual response. His quick smile and optimistic outlook will be dearly missed. Walt was born in Prescott, on May 5, 1934, the son of Esther and Fred Borner. He spent his early years helping out on the family farm and later with the Borner Oil and Implement business. When he contracted polio at age nine and suffered paralysis of both legs, his resolve and nine months of therapy at the Sheltering Arms Hospital in the Twin Cities restored his ability to walk. His dreams for the future led him to UW-Milwaukee, where he met and later married his devoted wife of 53 years, Kathy. After completing a degree in physics, he began his 35 year career at GTE. He started as an engineering assistant and retired as the regional director-regulatory affairs, GTE North. He was known for his work ethic, integrity and respect for others. While he worked hard to ensure a successful career, this effort was largely for the benefit of his family. He was a dedicated husband and father. He was always there to fix something around the house or to help solve any problem, no matter how insurmountable it seemed. Retirement allowed him to discover new joys in life, such as doing genealogy research, biking and visiting a number of Elderhostels with his wife Kathy, Tuesday coffee with the GTE retirees, babysitting the grandchildren and winning the “Mike the Pike” fishing trophy during the annual family vacation in northern Wisconsin. “Boppa” will be remembered for spirited games of Phase 10 and his love of ice cream. He was a die-hard Packers fan, and was able to cheer on the Brewers in person twice at Miller Park. He was also a frequent fan at his grandchildren’s baseball games, concerts, and performances. He was a long-time member of Lake Edge United Church of Christ, where his faith and strength were nurtured. He served his church community by being moderator, serving on the Board of Trustees as well as other committees, and by helping with the annual holiday Cookie Walk fundraiser. Walt and his wife Kathy developed a close network of friends over the years who continue to provide much love, comfort and support during this difficult time. His survivors include his wife, Kathy; children, Mary (Dean) Leatherman-Roberts, Ann (John) Baggot, and Mark Borner; grandchildren, Amanda (Michael) Nevarez, Emily Leatherman, Sabina Roberts, Aidan, Declan, Sean and Mary Baggot; and sister-in-law, Jane Borner. Walt was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Earl Borner. A service of thanksgiving for the life of Walter Borner will be held at OAKWOOD EAST CHAPEL, 5565 Tancho Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, with the Rev. Byron Bunge and the Rev. Lex Liberatore presiding. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, and at Oakwood from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Walt’s name to Oakwood Foundation, Agrace HospiceCare or Lake Edge United Church of Christ. The family would like to acknowledge the staff at Oakwood and Agrace Hospice Care for their compassionate care. Although the long goodbye was difficult, the support of professionals who are truly committed to comfort and dignity at the end of life is genuinely appreciated. “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson “Your spirit of quiet courage, fierce determination and endless love will live on in us. We love you.”
Cemetery:
Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Walt’s name to Oakwood Foundation, Agrace HospiceCare or Lake Edge United Church of Christ.
Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, and at Oakwood from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.
A service of thanksgiving for the life of Walter Borner will be held at OAKWOOD EAST CHAPEL, 5565 Tancho Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, with the Rev. Byron Bunge and the Rev. Lex Liberatore presiding.
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Memories
BS
Burt Seligmann
Other •
My deepest sympathy to the entire Borner Family. I have many fond memories of Walt and had the privilege to work for him many years ago in Sun Prairie. He will always be remembered as a good boss and more importantly, a good friend.
Burt Seligmann
SF
S Ford
Other •
I am so very sorry for your loss. Please know that God will comfort and sustain you. Psalms 34:18 says that He is near to those broken at heart and saves those crushed in spirit. He truly knows the pain you feel. He assures us at John 5:28 that a time will soon come when we will welcome back to our arms those we have lost. Know that time is very near. Allow God to comfort your soul until that day arrives. Please keep His promises close to your heart. I offer my deepest sympathies to your entire family.
JH
Jim and Linda Hoelzel
Other •
We are so sorry to hear of Walt's passing. We have many fond memories of your family living on Bridge Road. His obituary was very nice. He left a beautiful family.
MB
Mark Borner
Other •
My Father
By Mark Borner
My father was a very stoic man – I only saw him cry once.
My father was loyal – he worked for GTE for over 30 years and was married for over 50
My father was a gentle man – he never raised his hand to anyone and rarely raised his voice
My father was a provider – we never went without
My father loved listening to football on the AM radio – whether in the car, garage or basement
My father could fix anything and my mother made sure I helped him. I now have a stocked toolbox and I’m not afraid to use it
My father loved popcorn and could often be found watching a football game and eating popcorn
My father taught me how credit cards worked and to this day I’ve never carried a balance
My father taught me how to do my taxes and I’ve always done them myself until I moved to Australia – I think Foreign Tax Credits would have even confused him
My father loved camping – every summer we would hop into the car and pull the camper all over the US
My father was honest – I never saw him do a dishonest thing in his life
My father loved fishing & boating – the first time we took the family boat out on Lake Monona, the engine wouldn’t restart and we had to be towed back to the boat landing
My father was disabled, but it NEVER let that stop him. And it meant we got great parking spaces whenever he was with us
My father was fearless – I never saw him back away from anything in fear
My father taught me how to balance my cheque book and to this day I know where every penny of my money goes
My father had a strong work ethic – even on holidays he would stop at a pay phone and call work
My father spoiled me – much to the dismay of my sisters, I got a car at 16. Now it wasn’t the Porsche I asked for – it was a rusted out brown Nova which we affectionately called the “Brown Bomb”
My father did not drink. When I was young, he would smoke the occasional pipe while watching football. He gave up the pipe and I think the popcorn replaced it
My father had great faith – we went to church every Sunday. When I was 13 he told me why he believed in God: it was simply because there were things in his life he could not explain
My father loved photography – our lives are chronicled in boxes of slides, paper photos and now jpeg files
My father taught me to pack a car or a moving van – I challenge anyone to get more into the same space as him
My father was what we in Australia call “cheeky”, meaning he had a sense of humour which I’m glad I inherited
My father had a funny way of brushing his teeth – I cannot describe it, but the sound is indelibly etched in my memory
My father had the “Borner Belly” which I’m not glad I inherited
My father would frequently clear his throat – whenever my sisters clear their throat, I’m reminded of him
My father could grill the perfect hamburger
My father and I shared the love of a good campfire – the bigger the better!
My father hated to be called “pop” – I never knew why
My father was a geek – he wore a pocket protector with a pencil and a pocket calendar
And I believe my father’s final words of wisdom would have been:
*Drill pilot holes
*Check your oil
*Measure twice and cut once
I thank my father for all the gifts he has given me and I believe he is now in a place where he can dance, run and jump – all things he could not do on this Earth.
I love you dad!
= Mark