August 3, 2022 – Turtle Lake, WI – James M. Borgen, 80, of Turtle Lake, WI died Friday, July 29, 2022 at Our House Memory Care facility in Rice Lake, WI.
He was born May 13, 1942, in Suffolk, Virginia to Morris and Lillian (Hayes) Borgen, and raised in Dallas, WI, He attended Barron High School, class of 1960. He attended college at UW-Stout where he earned his teaching degree.
Jim spent the majority of his career teaching Industrial Arts at Slinger High School, where he retired after 38 years of service.
He was married at United Lutheran Church in Prairie Farm, WI on December 26, 1965, to Mardelle Mathews, and they raised 2 children, Bradley and Lori, and resided in Allenton WI.
He was a gifted mechanic, woodworker and “fixer and builder of all things.” He spent countless hours tinkering in the garage, working on cars, & helping fix things for anyone who needed his help.
He loved spending time at their cabin (and later, home) on Upper Turtle Lake in northern Wisconsin. He loved fishing, boating, grilling, teaching friends to waterski, and entertaining at their beloved lake home.
He and his family enjoyed traveling the country and abroad, seeing new things and experiencing other cultures. Jim also loved to shop, get a great bargain, and tell you the story about how much money he saved. Jim was very social, had a great sense of humor, loved to tell jokes, and always enjoyed a cold beer with great company.
His 4 grandchildren were his pride and joy. He loved teaching them to fish & how to love the lake life when they visited. You could see the pride in his eyes when he showed other people photos of his grandchildren, bragged about their accomplishments, & shared their stories.
He leaves many great memories with his wife of 57 years, Mardelle; children: Bradley (Kristin) Borgen of Appleton, WI and Lori (Geno) Francis of La Crosse, WI; 4 grandchildren: Ellie Borgen, Jakob Borgen, Payton Francis, and Adelyn Francis; nephews: Kim Roescrans & Scott Rosecrans, other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Morris & Lillian Borgen; Sister Dorothy Rosecrans; and many other relatives.
Cremations services provided by Skinner Funeral Home in Turtle Lake, WI
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at the Borgen Residence on Upper Turtle Lake from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 13, 2022.
I enjoyed working with Jim at SHS. He was a great guy. My condolences to the family. Prayers for strength during this difficult time. Hugs.
Ohhh!!! I’m so sorry to hear this news!
You are right … Jim was one of the good ones. He was my Drivers Ed. teacher in HS (which only demonstrates how very patient a man he was) and a colleague of mine for many of the 30+ years we taught together at that same school.
I fondly remember his very dry and very witty sense of humor, and his kindness. He was one of the kindest, most humble, soft spoken and sweet people I ever had the pleasure to know.
I send my heartfelt condolences to Mardy and the rest of his family.
God speed, dearest Jim.
💔💔💔
Jim and Mardy were are next door neighbors in Wynne when we got married. Had lots of laughs and taught them to make gravy without lumps. Our Jims are now together in God’s care.
Mardy and Family,
So sorry to learn of Jim’s passing. I have many great memories of Jim during our years at Stout. He was a kind, intelligent and talented man.
Neal Ragatz
Mardy and Family,
My sympathy and condolences to you. Jim was a smart, kind and special person. I have many good memories of the great times we enjoyed together at Stout, on several trips with our beautiful wives out West and to China. My best regards during this difficult time. Gene Hallongren