Thomas R Borchert

Thomas R. Borchert, age 71 of Mankato, died Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at Immanuel St. Joseph's Hospital in Mankato after a short battle with cancer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Mankato with Rev. Karl Voelker officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Mankato. Visitation will be held from 4 " 7 p.m., with a 4:00 p.m., prayer service on Friday at Mankato Mortuary. Visitation continues one hour before the service at the church on Saturday. Memorials may be given to Mankato United Way, Pathstone Living, or ISJ Hospice.

Tom was born December 24, 1936, in Mapleton, Minnesota, to Roland and Cleo (Grems) Borchert. Tom married his high school sweetheart, Patricia L. Germo, in 1956. He spent his lifetime career at Mankato Citizens Telephone Company, now Hickory Tech, holding many positions and becoming Vice President in 1972 and President in 1984, until he retired from Hickory Tech Corporation in 1997. He held many memberships in the telecommunications industry, being a Board Member of Hickory Tech and the Hickory Tech Foundation, Board Member of Minnesota Telephone Association, United States Telephone Association, and MEANS. Community involvement included Salvation Army, Sertoma, United Way, Red Jacket Trail, Lake Washington Club, Mankato Golf Club, St. Peter and Paul's Catholic Church, Elks Club, Moose Club, Mankato and Mapleton Curling Clubs.

Tom had a strong work ethic working for MCTC for 43 years. He enjoyed dancing with his wife, Patti; boating, sporting events, playing cards with family and friends, and in his younger years " curling.

Tom is survived by his wife, Patricia, and 6 children; Susan (Henry) Morimoto, Waconia, MN; Colleen (Scott) Larkin, Waukesha, WI; Michael (Susan) Borchert, Eden Prairie, MN; Paul (Kristi) Borchert, Chanhassen, MN; Peter Borchert, Madison Lake, MN; Molly (Shawn) Kennedy, St. Peter, MN. Twelve grandchildren, Millie (Bobby) Irby, Joe (Julie), Katie, Thomas Morimoto; Theresa and Sarah Larkin; Sydney, Sam, Cooper Borchert; Bobby and Max Borchert; Ben Kennedy; Nine siblings, Helen Saunders, Betty Bertschi, Roland (Bud) Borchert, Alice Gohla, Peggy Vaught, Neva Butzer, John Borchert, William Borchert, and Gerald Borchert; sisters-in-law, Mary (Bill) Marso, Dorothy (Tom) Dunn, and Clarice Germo; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Dave, Chuck, Ed, and Joe Borchert; brother-in-law, Johnny Germo.