Marvin Martin Borkenhagen

Marvin Martin Borkenhagen, 92, of rural Amboy, passed away on Thursday, March 21, 2019 after an accident on his farm as he was clearing ice from a culvert to drain his field. His official date of death is March 26, 2019, as that was when he was recovered. Marvin’s family is thankful for all assistance that came from the community and law enforcement, with special thanks to Todd Boesch for his determination and success in recovery efforts.

Visitation will be on Sunday, March 31, 2019 from 4-6 PM at Zaharia Family Funeral Home in Truman. Funeral service will be held on Monday, April 1, 2019 at 10:30 Am at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church with Pastor Nathan Rusert officiating. Additional visitation one hour prior to the service at church. Interment with military honors will be at Vernon Center Cemetery, Vernon Center at 130 PM. Zaharia Family Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. www.ZahariaFamilyFuneral.com

 Marvin was the youngest of eleven children and was born in Pleasant Mound Township on March 5, 1927 to Gustav Jr. and Mathilda (Salfisberg) Borkenhagen.  He attended grade school at Fieldon, high school at Amboy, and the University of Minnesota School of Agriculture.  He served in the United States Navy aboard the USS New Jersey in World War II. After the war, the Borkenhagen Brothers, (Ervin and Marvin) farmed and shelled corn.  Marvin married Dorothy Mae Rice on March 9, 1952 at Faribault, MN. They were married for 63 years. Marvin farmed in Pleasant Mound as did his parents and grandparents.  At rural Amboy, Dorothy and Marvin raised their three children: Brad, Bruce, and Beth. Marvin and Dorothy’s family farm corporation included Gopherland Cob Products which flourished under Marvin’s dedication and direction.  The farm became a century farm in 1990 and the fourth and fifth generations will carry on its operation. Marvin was a proud member of the Madelia VFW and the Lewisville American Legion. Marvin was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran in Truman.  Marvin enjoyed his family, especially during the summer at the family cabin near Alexandria.                                      

 Marvin Borkenhagen accomplished a lot in 92 years. He might have given you a job, loaned you some money, bought you a Grain Belt, dealt you a winning hand (often using the “Borkenhagen rules”), told you a darn good joke, shelled your corn, picked up your corn cobs, cooked you some bacon, gave you a ride somewhere, brought you along to a  Vikings game or gave you tickets, shared his vegetables with you, talked politics, helped you land the fish that got a way, hunt a deer, or track a moose.  He most likely gave you flack,  told you to sleep it off, shot trap with you, he might have cleaned your clock if you were in the boxing ring with him—or you cleaned his, you might have gotten a ride on the snowmobile he made with his brother Erv or you used an auger they engineered. You might have gotten a big hug, you might have gotten a story about M&M Mountain, shot off a cannon with him, you might have learned the correct way to pull a weed or put the dock in, chop off the head of a chicken or clean a fish.  Perhaps you got a whisker rub,  got caught and tickled in the Grandpa trap, seen the twinkle in his eye, maybe you said a prayer with him or sat in the same pew at church, perhaps you benefited from all his knowledge and agricultural skills that he shared and practiced, taking care of the land, his family, and his neighbors right up to the last day he lived upon the earth.                                                                                                                   Marvin is survived by son, Brad (fiancé Cheryl); daughter, Beth Sieg (Lee); grandsons Jeff Sieg (Carmen), Brian Borkenhagen and Matt Sieg; granddaughters, Amy Lene Borkenhagen-Fuller, Jeni Salazar (Danny) and Brooke Borkenhagen (Ian); great-grandchildren Jorge Olea, Nick Sieg, Bryce Borkenhagen and Chance Salazar; and many nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.  Marvin was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorothy; one son, Bruce; and ten siblings, Walter, Alvin, Clarence, Herbert, Viona, Ervin, Edwin, Arnold, Arlene and an infant sister.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Martin Luther High School in Northrop or the Lutheran Hour.

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