Thursday, December 24th, 2020
Ethel Borger
Ethel Ann Borger, age 90, of Coldwater, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 21, 2020, after a short battle with COVID-19.
She was born on August 23, 1930, to Joseph and Anna (Jutte) Huelskamp in St. Peter, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Borger. They were married on November 8, 1952.
Ethel was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, and a dedicated member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Philothea. Growing up and later raising her family on a farm, Ethel was an avid gardener and will be remembered for the delicious food she prepared and preserved for her family and for teaching them to garden, cook, bake, and preserve each year's harvest.
In the spring, she enjoyed planting zinnias and other flowers in her garden and in front of her statue of the Blessed Mother. Among her greatest joys was spending time with her grandchildren, who adored her and whom she adored.
In recent years, she took great joy in reading and re-reading the many cards she received from relatives and friends. Ethel was a star speller as a girl, and she loved reading and doing word search puzzles, as well as playing all kinds of games.
She will be remembered for her deep faith, her open and generous heart, her playful spirit, and her warm and sometimes mischievous smile. As a friend said, she made you a better person by knowing her. She will be deeply missed.
Ethel is survived by her children: Dale (Vivian) Borger, Beverly (Doug) Thobe, Gary Borger (friend Anna Stein), Mary (Greg) Petkoff, Brenda (Romie) Schwieterman, Charles (Julie) Borger, John Borger, Jean Borger, and son-in-law Kevin Wyatt; by her 15 grandchildren: Alex Borger, Stefanie Borger, Brad (Kristin) Thobe, Allison Thobe, Christine Thobe, Daniel (Natalie) Petkoff, Carl Petkoff, Allison Petkoff, Megan Schwieterman, Evelynn Wyatt, Urban Wyatt, Katherine Borger, Anna Borger, Sarah Borger, and Andrew Borger; by her two great grandchildren: Isabelle and Miles Thobe; by her three sisters-in-law: Merdella Schwieterman, Esther Borger, and Mary Narramore; and by her nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her daughter Ruth Wyatt and son Fred Borger. She was also the last surviving member of her family of ten children, including sisters Celesta Lochtefeld, Wilma Huelskamp, Sr. Ann Margaret Huelskamp, Dolores Lange, Norma Minneman, and Marjorie Wourms, and brothers Virgil Huelskamp, Ivo Huelskamp, and Urban Huelskamp.
The family would like to thank Katie Flintrop, Theresa Adkins, and Elaine Grube for the many years of exceptional care they provided to Ethel.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 28, 2020, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Philothea, with Msgr. Marvin Borger officiating. Livestream for the funeral Mass can be accessed at http://coldwatercluster.org/content/helpful-links-watch-mass-online. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery.
Due to COVID-19, viewing is limited to close family and friends from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 28, 2020, at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, St. Henry. Social distancing and mask wearing will be enforced.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ethel's memory to Mercer County Right to Life (507 N. Second St., Coldwater, OH, 45828) and Holy Trinity Food Pantry (830 W. Main St., Coldwater, OH, 45828).
Please leave condolences at hogenkampfh.com.
