Borchers, Bonnie 1943-2020

BORCHERS, LUKEN, NILLES

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 1/4/2025 at 13:32:37

Bonnie Borchers, 77, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away Sunday, November 1, 2020 at her home in Le Mars surrounded by her family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at All Saints Catholic Parish - St. James Church in Le Mars.  Reverend Bruce Lawler will celebrate Mass.  Burial will be at a later date in Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars.  Visitation with the family present will be from 9:00 a.m. until service time on Wednesday at St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars.  Masks and social distancing are required at the church. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars, Iowa. 

Bonnie Louise Nilles was born on June 5, 1943 in Le Mars, Iowa to Theodore and Julia (Luken) Nilles. She was raised in Remsen and graduated from Remsen St. Mary’s High School in 1961. Bonnie was united in marriage to Harlan Borchers on July 8, 1961 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen. They lived in Remsen for a few years before moving to Le Mars.

In 1971 Bonnie began working as a seamstress at Aalfs in Le Mars. When Aalfs closed in 1999, she began working at American Identity in Orange City, Iowa. She was there for five years before they also closed; she then began working at BoDeans in Le Mars.
She worked there for six years before retiring at the age of 66.

Bonnie was a long-time member of St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars. She enjoyed fishing, reading, sewing, and playing video games. Bonnie loved roses and enjoyed growing and tending to her rose garden. Her favorite time was spent with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She loved them all being together, especially for Thanksgiving and Christmas shopping trips. Bonnie treasured the time she spent with her grandchildren and made such an effort to make their time together memorable. They will all fondly remember her reading “Where The Wild Things Are” were she brought the story to life with her enthusiasm and animation! She also would draw images with them as well, putting just as much creativity and energy into each drawing. Her greatest joy was listening to the stories of her loved ones; she was always delighted by and interested in their news and life updates.

Bonnie is survived by her husband of 59 years, Harlan Borchers; children: Harlan Lee (Kristen) Borchers of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Julie (Mark) Holck of Le Mars, Iowa, Robbie (Bobbie) Borchers of South Sioux City, Nebraska, and Bradley (Pam) Borchers of Sioux City, Iowa; grandchildren: Benjamin Borchers, Christopher (Sandra) Borchers, Brian (Matt) Ogle, Jacob Holck, Nathan Holck, Brittany (Michael) Yardley, Brandon Borchers, Alex Borchers, Ashley Borchers, ReAnn  Merrill, Alyssa Borchers, and Natalie Merrill; 5 great grandchildren; siblings: Jan Klein of Le Mars, Iowa, Diana (Glenn) Brown of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Dan (Sandra) Nilles of Le Mars, Iowa, Nancy (Charlie) Brown of Brandon, South Dakota, Gene (Myra) Nilles of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; sisters in law: Veronica Borchers of Le Mars, Iowa, Clara (Ron) Hunter of Le Mars, and Jean Nilles of Granville, Iowa; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Bonnie is preceded in death by her parents, Theodore and Julia (Luken) Nilles; siblings: Thomas Nilles, Carol (Dick) Lang, and Jim Nilles; brother in law, Elmer Klein; and nephew Tommy Nilles.
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**Burial Date Edit (per City of LeMars burial report Dec. 6, 2024)
Harlan & Bonnie Borchers (ash burials) were buried Resthaven Cemetery, LeMars, Iowa -- Garden of Love, Lot 80D, Space 3
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