Gerald Lee Borgen, 81, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and neighbor went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 16, 2019 surrounded by his family and loved ones.
Lee was born March 24, 1937 in Wolf Point, Montana to Helen (Janzen) and Gerhard Borgen. He attended grade school in the Cottonwood Community north of Frazer and graduated from Frazer High School in 1956. While a lifelong farmer, rancher and musician, he was a family man first. Lee took his future bride, Barbara Kay Bjorgo, on their first date on Valentine’s Day 1957 and they were married seven months later on September 8, 1957. They had four children: Eva Jean “Jeannie”, Dale Lee, Verlin Anerd, and Doreen Marie. He and Barb loved spending time with their eleven grandchildren and many sleepovers were had at their home. As his health declined, and his fourteen great-grandchildren never failed to bring a smile to his face.
Lee took over the farm in 1955, as a high school senior, after his father, brother, and grandmother had been killed in a car accident. He farmed and ranched throughout his life. Lee worked at Glasgow Ready Mix in the fall after graduating high school, pouring concrete for the Glasgow Air Force Base. He worked there during the winter months for seven years, while farming in the summer. He and Barb settled on a farm in the Grain Community north of Nashua where they raised their children. He was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church of Grain since 1961, serving on the board and playing an active role in church leadership. He was a member of the Valley Ridgerunner’s Saddle Club and the Elks Club for many years. Lee was a cultivator of the land, growing wheat, raising cattle, and harvesting around Montana and eventually the Great Plains throughout his life. He was a talented mechanic and fabricator, building trailers and a self-propelled grain cart. He loved tinkering in the shop and found an artistic calling as a welder and woodworker. He learned guitar early and began playing for dances in 8th grade. His love of music continued throughout his life and he was often heard singing in church and jamming with friends and relatives. He passed his love of music to his children and grandchildren and taught several family members how to play guitar.
He is preceded in death by his parents Gerhard and Helen Borgen and brother Verlin and Norbert.
He is survived by his wife Barbara, daughter Jeannie (Paul) Malek, son Dale (Donna) Borgen, son Verlin Borgen and daughter Doreen (James) McKenney; eleven grandchildren Janie, Justin, Whitney, Alan, Blair, Haylee, Roy, Logan, Brittany, Darbi, and Kelsey; and fourteen great-grandchildren Keagan, Finley, Alanna, Heaston, Hunter, Kila, Chloe, Kelden, Rowen, Emma, Kaylan, Grace, Nolan, Saylor and one more on the way.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Monday February 18, 2019
Bell Mortuary
701 2nd Ave. S.
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday February 19, 2019
First Lutheran Church
641 2nd Ave. No.
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Luncheon
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday February 19, 2019
First Lutheran Church
641 2nd. Ave No.
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Monday February 18, 2019
Bell Mortuary
701 2nd Ave. S.
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday February 19, 2019
First Lutheran Church
641 2nd Ave. No.
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Luncheon
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday February 19, 2019
First Lutheran Church
641 2nd. Ave No.
Glasgow, Montana 59230
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DOUG HALBERG says
TO THE BORGEN FAMILY : IT WAS A GREAT SHOCK TO HEAR ABOUT LEE”S PASSING. I REMEMBER ALL THE GREAT TIMES COMING OUT TO SEE YOU FOLKS ARRIVING LATE HOURS OF THE NIGHT AND EVEN GETTING A BED . I HOPE AND PRAY FOR YOU ALL AND DURING THIS TOUGH TIME OF THE PASSING. BARB DO YOU REMEMBER THE TIME WE CHASED THE HOGS WHEN THEY GOT OUT ? WELL IF YOU DON’T I SURE DO. YOU ALL TAKE CARE AND MAY GOD BLESS THE BORGEN FAMILY.
TAKE CARE DOUG HALBERG FROM WIDOUG
Genna Granada says
Our deepest sympathy to Barbara, Lee’s children and families. Lee was a great farmer, wonderful neighbor and classmate. We will miss him – and hope to hear his guitar playing again one day! Our prayers are with you all.
The Granada Family – Carol, Genna and Gene
Renee Richert says
Renee Richert says , I am so sorry to hear about Lee passing. Hugs to you all. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Lee always welcomed our family with open arms when we visited many summers when I was growing up and even when I had my own children. I have so many great memories. Lee had a great heart . You will be missed but will have spot in my heart forever.
Love Renee (Halberg) Richert
Bonnie says
Oh Barbara. So sorry to hear of your loss of Lee. We always considered you as our Ossette neighbors Our love and prayers for you and your family
Bonnie and Marlin Reddig
Jacki Kaasa says
Barb and family,
Lee was a proud family man and devoted husband
and it was seen all over his face
It was a great honor knowing him
He is missed and will be remembered forever
His smile and friendliness was a delight
So sorry for your loss
Thoughts and prayers to you all
He will be with all of us in our memories
Floyd C Halberg says
Cousin Floyd Halberg says
Hey Barb, so sorry to hear about Lee going on to be with the Lord. It was always so enjoyable to visit you folks.
Always good times singing and sharing that were too few and far between getting together. Riding towards the skating rink on a rainy night on a gumbo slick road . Bringing Mom and Edith out for a short visit when I was still in Florida. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family from Brenda and myself. Take care.
Leah & Lynn Erickson says
Sorry to hear about your Dad. I remember one summer at the bowling alley one Boregen girls were at the fireworks stand and they were so tickled because they had been at Grandma and Grandpa Borgen’s and Grandpa fell asleep so they promptly painted his toenails! ☺️ He was a great person and he will be missed deeply. 🙏🙏🙏 to your family.