Edgar W Boreen,

FITCHBURG -- Edgar W. Boreen died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, July 30, after a valiant three year battle with esophageal cancer. Ed was born on Feb. 6, 1934, in Omaha, Neb. After attending high school in Oakland, Calif., Ed joined the U.S. Air Force. He served his country for four years, including a tour of duty in Korea. It was during his stint in the Air Force that Ed met the love of his life, Bonita Saari. Their story reads like a Hollywood script. In basic training, Ed befriended Bonita’s brother, Jack, who showed Ed a photo of his sister that he carried in his wallet. Ed asked Jack if it would be OK if he wrote to Bonita. Ed’s first letter to Bonita was postmarked Nov. 5, 1951. He wrote to Bonita on a daily basis until they met for the first time in person (and got engaged) on Nov. 5, 1954. They married one year later on Nov. 5, 1955. After briefly settling in California, Ed and Bonita returned to Wisconsin in 1956. They have called Wisconsin home ever since; and Ed’s passion for Bonita never waned. In 1978, Ed founded an independent insurance agency which became Wisconsin Insurance World, Ltd., in 1981. After selling his interest in the business and “retiring” in 1997, Ed found that he missed the personal interaction that he enjoyed with customers and with other agents so from 1998 through 2009, he was affiliated with Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Over the years, Ed served as a mentor to many entering the insurance industry. He also was a long-time member of the Elks Club of Madison. Ed was beloved by family, friends, and colleagues due to his genuine, sincere interest in others, light-hearted pranks, and quick wit. Ed made everyone feel welcome. He intrigued his young grandchildren and great-grandchildren with impersonations of Donald Duck, enjoyed teasing his older grandchildren, and relished a good joke. While Ed loved golf, gardening and landscaping, and the Packers and Badgers, he was especially devoted to his family as well as his faithful dog, Lily. Ed is survived by his wife, Bonita; his children, Jacquelyn (Chuck) Deadman of Madison, Steve (Anita Ferris) Boreen of Madison, Marcia (James) Egle of Fitchburg, James (Kim) Boreen of Machesney Park, Ill., and Jefre (Chad) Johannson of Oregon; grandchildren, Charlie Deadman, Amanda (Justin) Genung, Erica Deadman, Allison Boreen, Jake Boreen, Maria Egle, Michael Egle, Lyndsey Boreen, Nick Kistner, and Dane Johannson; great-grandchildren, Oceana Deadman and Mason Genung; a sister, Betty Boreen of Bern, N.C .; and nieces, Donna (John) Boyd of Bern, N.C., Lori (Bill) Pollock of Delafield, and Brenda (Chris) Roth of Stevens Point. Ed’s parents, Edgar Boreen, Sr. and Amanda Elizabeth Boreen, and a sister, Theo Sparks, predeceased him. A memorial service celebrating Ed’s life will be held at the GUNDERSON FUNERAL HOME, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012. Visitation will be at the funeral home from Noon until the time of service on Thursday. Ed was most appreciative of the compassion and care provided by Dr. Daniel Mulkerin, and the staff and receptionists at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the UW Carbone Cancer Center, 600 Highland Ave., K4/658, Madison, WI 53792-6164. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the UW Carbone Cancer Center, 600 Highland Ave., K4/658, Madison, WI 53792-6164. Visitation will be at the funeral home from Noon until the time of service on Thursday. A memorial service celebrating Ed’s life will be held at the GUNDERSON FUNERAL HOME, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012.