Morris Richard Borchers

Morris Richard Borchers (Morty), age 85, of Verndale, died in his sleep May 2, 2014. Morty was born June 12, 1928 in Deer Creek, MN to Fred and Mildred (Bartlett) and lived there until his family moved northeast of Verndale when he was 15. Morty became quite accomplished in training horses about this time of his life. He was also very involved in football, basketball and track in high school. He married Elaine Wood November 25, 1951. Morty worked various jobs as a laborer in the Verndale/Wadena area as well as Silver Bay. The family moved to Lexington in 1960 and then back to Verndale in 1963 in order be closer to Morty’s aging father. After his father’s death in 1964 the family moved to his Dad’s farm and remained there until 1975 when they moved back to NE Minneapolis. Morty retired in 1986, having worked 25 years for Cream Of Wheat/Nabisco, and 20 years for Minnegasco. He then moved back to the Verndale Farm until he sold it in 1996 and moved to the Deer Creek area. Morty spent a lot of time in retirement bargain hunting at auctions and garage sales, as well as adding to his amazing collection of automobiles. Morty also liked getting out of Minnesota in winter and enjoyed the high desert of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, which he was able to do for about 15 years in his retirement until 2006. A car accident changed his life abruptly and after his initial recovery from traumatic brain injury, he spent his last 7 years at Golden Living Center in Henning. Morty is preceeded by 4 sisters and one brother; and Grandson, Jon. Morty is survived by 4 sons: Steve (Liz) of Maple Plain, Brian (Peggy) of Eden Prairie, Einer of Minneapolis, Scott (Janet) of New Prague. Daughters: Melody (Mark) St. Marie of Big Lake, Dawn of Madison, WI and Barb (Randy) Richardson of Seattle, WA.23 Grandchildren and 13 Great Grandchildren, Also survived by Sisters, Shirley of Staples and Nita of Portland, OR. A Funeral Service, officiated by Pastor Gordon Gathright, will be held Friday, May 9, 6:00 p.m. at Wise Family Funeral Home, 400 Spring St., Hastings. Visitation will be held 2 hours prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be in Wadena, MN. Arrangements by Wise Family Funeral Home (wisefamilyfh.com) and Schuller Family Funeral Homes (schullerfamilyfh.com).