Obituary of Howard J. Borchardt

HOWARD J. BORCHARDT Born January 19, 1918, son of John and Wilhemenia Borchardt in Highland Park, IL, went home to be with the Lord on October 14, 2012. Howard grew up on the family farm and graduated from Fort Atkinson HS in 1935. He worked with his father as a carpenter until he was drafted in 1941. He lived in the prime of the industrial age, and was so intrigued by planes, trains, and automobiles that he traded his farm chores of milking cows to join the Air Force. Howard served our country in WW II in the Air Force with the 303rd Hells Angels Bombing Group in England as a Base Technical Inspector, working with B-17�s. He separated with the service December 24, 1945 as a 2nd Lieutenant. He remained in the Air Force Reserves and retired with the rank of Major in 1978. He would have loved continuing to travel the world, but chose rather the better life of dancing with his �Rockdale Sweetheart�, his bride of 65 years. It all started with an uncollected $1 dance bet, and the rest is history. Howard married Norma Lund on September 27, 1947. Howard worked 4 years as an Electrical Apprentice in Cambridge with Wallace Electric Shop, then started his own business, Borchardt Electric. He later worked 4 years for Nichols Electric of Madison, and then worked 17 years at the UW Madison Electric Shop, retiring in 1980 to apprentice his son into the electrical trade. Howard enjoyed gardening and his time with ACRES. He loved his family and taught them by example the value of a good work ethic. He always looked forward to spending time with family at the annual Farm Progress Days, EAA, and the State Fair (he loved the all-you-can eat pancakes, and cream puffs). Howard�s life was forever changed the day he gave his heart to Jesus. He served the Lord by serving his community in several ways: The Cambridge Foundation, Town of Oakland Supervisor, Boy Scout Leader, Church Boards, Sunday School Teacher, and as a Leader of AWANA, a children�s ministry. He had the best personal cook and nurse anyone could ever hope to have - his wife, who lovingly and faithfully cared for him until the end. We are so grateful to friends who helped in times of need and provided meals for Howard. Some meals he liked so much, he insisted on getting the �prescription�! Howard is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Norma, daughter Dianne (Tom) Wex of Omro, son Jerry (Patricia) Borchardt of Cambridge; two grandsons, Toby Wex of Madison, Cory (Kayla) Wex of Oak Creek; one great granddaughter, Vivian. Howard was preceded by his parents and 6 siblings. Services will be held at Willerup Methodist Church, 414 W. Water St. Cambridge, on Saturday October 20th at 11am. Visitation will be Friday October 19 from 4pm � 8pm at Nitardy Funeral Home, 208 N. Park St. Cambridge, and at Willerup Church from 10am until the service on Saturday. Burial with Miliatry Rites will be in the Lake Ripley Cemetery, Town of Oakland, Wisconsin. Memorials may be given to either a Missionary of your choice, Willerup BIBLE Camp, Cambridge EMS or FIRE Department.