Howard Martin Borchardt, 85

Published 9:46 am Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Howard Martin Borchardt, 85, of Austin, Minn., died Monday, Feb. 24, 2014, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home.

Borchardt

He was born March 20, 1928, in Edgar, Wis., to Martin and Gertrude (Arndt) Borchardt. After his graduation from Wausau High School in 1946, Howard enlisted in the U.S.Navy, where he served until 1948. He attended Milwaukee Business Institute from 1948 to 1950. On May 8, 1954, Howard was united in marriage to Janet Smith in Austin. He went to work for Hormel Foods Corporation — first on the guard force, then in sales and finally as a foreman, retiring in 1990. Howard enjoyed his work very much. There were so many things Howard loved doing, but singing would have to be No. 1. He sang in Northwestern Singers and the octet, called Express Male, where he met so many special friends and shared fun together. Howard was honored to be a member of the St. Olaf Church Choir. He was asked to sing solos for many funerals. He served as a St. Olaf Church Council president. In October 2011, Howard had the privilege of taking the Honor Flight to Washington D.C.  He loved volunteering at the information desk at Austin Medical Clinic. Howard was a member of the noon Lions Club, especially enjoying pancake day. At the top of his list was time spent with his children and grandchildren attending their music and sporting activities.

Survivors include his wife, Janet of Austin; his children, Brenda (Mark) Ehrhardt of Arlington, Wash.; Martin (Ramona) Borchardt of Woodbury, Minn.; Kathryn (Rick) Jundt of Eden Prairie, Minn.; Kevin (Lynn) Borchardt of Rogers, Minn.; six grandchildren, Jeffrey, Samuel and Zachary Ehrhardt; Elizabeth and Caroline Jundt; Andrew Borchardt. Other survivors include Janet’s two brothers and one brother-in-law, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Gertrude Borchardt and his brother, Robert.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2014, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin with Todd Portinga, Associate in Ministry, officiating. The Borchardt Family will greet friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 4, at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Military honors are by American Legion Post 91.  Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery, Austin at a later date. Memorials are preferred to St. Olaf Lutheran Church Capital Appeal or to the St. Olaf Music Ministry. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.