Wilma M. Borgwardt Obituary

Wilma Marie Borgwardt (nee Dregney) was born at home on the farm in Canton Township, Buffalo County, Wisconsin on December 20, 1928 and entered eternal life on April 30, 2024 at the age of 95 years, 4 months, 10 days.

Wilma was the daughter of the late Oscar and Sena (nee Peterson) Dregney. She was baptized on February 10, 1929 at Modena Lutheran Church. She attended grade school in Modena and Mondovi High School, graduating on May 29, 1946. On February 16, 1947, Wilma married Kenneth Leroy Borgwardt in the Mondovi Methodist Church parsonage. Shortly after, they moved to the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area where their marriage was blessed with two children, Donald Kenneth Borgwardt and Karen Marie Bennett.

In 1950 Wilma and Ken moved to their forever home on Fond du Lac Avenue in Menomonee Falls and became founding members of Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Wilma was a homemaker, taking care of a large garden and canning the produce every fall. She joined two card clubs and in later years visited often with her group of breakfast friends at McDonalds. She played bingo as often as possible. For more than forty years, almost every holiday or vacation was spent up north, visiting relatives and friends in the Mondovi area. Wilma and Ken also enjoyed traveling, especially to Germany to visit their daughter and family in the military.

When Ken died in February 2018, Wilma remained in their home on Fond du Lac Avenue, only moving to an assisted living facility in January 2024 when her health deteriorated.

Wilma is survived by her children, son Donald (Carol) Borgwardt, Cedarburg, Wisconsin and daughter Karen (Raymond) Bennett, Rolla, Missouri; grandchildren Elizabeth (the Rev. John) Koester, Waukesha, Wisconsin, Kristy Bennett (fiancé Michael Dereberry), Rolla, Missouri and Ryan (Dr. Kate) Bennett, Seattle, Washington; great-grandchildren Amelia, Jack and Aaron Koester and Ray and Roger Bennett. Special G Ma of Joseph and Abby Dereberry. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents Oscar and Sena (nee Peterson) Dregney, and siblings Lois (nee Dregney) Borgwardt and Walter "Sonny" Dregney. Further survived by other relatives and many friends.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, W156 N8131 Pilgrim Road, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:30 a.m.

A second visitation will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at Central Lutheran Church, 221 West Main St., Mondovi, Wisconsin from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. with a committal service following at Riverside Lutheran Cemetery, Mondovi, Wisconsin.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Holy Cross Lutheran Church School Fund or the charity of your choice appreciated.