Allen Arthur Borchardt, Sr., age 92 of Prior Lake, passed away surrounded by his family on March 31, 2017. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 11AM with a visitation 2 hours prior all at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 5634 Luther Road SE, Prior Lake. Allen will be laid to rest next to his wife at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery. Allen’s oldest grandson, Jeff Borchardt, will act as an urnbearer. Pastor Bruce Laabs will preside.
On May 15, 1924 Albert and Anna (Busse) Borchardt celebrated the birth of their son, Allen Arthur Borchardt. He was one of nine children. Growing up during the depression, Allen learned the value of hard work. In addition to working on the family’s farm by Fish Lake, the family hosted hunters and fishermen from the cities. To earn money, Allen would catch and sell minnows or clean the fish and birds for the hunters.
Allen worked with his brothers throughout life, as a farm hand in his younger days and eventually he partnered with his brother Melvin to operate a Ford Dealership. In the mid-60s, Allen began working at the Dana Corporation as a machinist. He retired after 24 years.
In 1946 Allen, along with his brother Norman, enlisted in the Army. After returning from the service, Allen married his childhood sweetheart, Marcella Stier, on November 20, 1947. This union was blessed with many wonderful years of marriage.
To celebrate their anniversary, they would invite friends to join them at deer camp. Hunting and fishing were favorite pastimes of the family. Together, they were also involved in the Prior Lake VFW and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Allen served as the Americanism Chairman for many years. He had the privilege of traveling around the county to attend VFW conventions.
While Allen lived a full life, he faced many hardships—the loss of two infant daughters, a son, and his wife. Allen’s faith, family, and friends helped him endured such difficult times.
Allen’s honesty and hard-working nature will live on in his son, Allen Borchardt, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Julie Borchardt; grandchildren, Jeff (Allyssa) Borchardt, Jodi (Andy Ryan) Borchardt, Kari (Jeremie) Sirovy, Crystal (Brian) Kemmer, Tiffany (Brad) Wallace, April (Jack) Baurely; 9 great-grandchildren; sister, Lorraine (Earl) Koepp. Allen will be reunited in heaven by his wife, Marcella Borchardt; two infant daughters and son, Scott Borchardt; his parents and siblings, Laverne “Toots” Theis, Bernice Kreuger, Anna May King, Marlin Borchardt, Roman Borchardt, Norman Borchardt, Melvin Borchardt.
The Borchardt family has been proudly served by the staff of Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home.
