Orville L. Borgmann

SMITH CENTER- Orville LeVerne Borgmann was born on June 16, 1923, the oldest child of Fred and Anna (Hermanns) Borgmann at the family farm southwest of Athol Kansas. Orville departed this life suddenly but peacefully at the Smith County Care Center on June 21, 2012 at the age of 89 years and 5 days.

He was baptized at St John Lutheran Church on July 15, 1923 and confirmed by Rev. Alfred Fleischmann on March 21, 1937. Orville had great pride in the fact he lived on the family farm for 86 years until his health forced him to move to the Smith County Care Center on June 29, 2009. Orville loved his home church, St. John Lutheran Church of rural Athol, as he was baptized, confirmed and a faithful member there until his death.

Orville attended the Silver Ridge Country Grade School one-half mile south of the farm, where he graduated in 1936. Following his confirmation in 1937, he attended Cedar High School graduating with the class of 1941. Attending his class reunions was always important for Orville.

Orville was blessed to have a sharp mind and was considered to be an area historian. He could remember with great detail the dirty thirties, family stories and lineages, and of course his favorite jokes which he always shared with his friends, neighbors and even the many medical doctors he encountered.

Orville spent his high school and early adulthood years as a faithful Luther League member. Because he was single, Orville continued as a Luther League member for many years. This gave him the opportunity to spend two terms as the Central District Federation president traveling to various Luther League events including training at Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa and a special meeting at Luther College in Regina, Canada making many friends and memories during these travels.

After Luther League, Orville was a charter member of the St John Lutheran Brotherhood in 1949 and was a faithful Brotherhood member. He served St John for many years as the Sunday School Secr./Tres. keeping detailed records of attendance and offerings.

Orville farmed with his parents and milked cows for his vocation. It was during a dairy tour in spring, 1968, that he met Beverly Delyce Platt. Their mutual dairy interests lead to more common interests and soon their marriage on April 26, 1969 at the Lebanon Christian Church.

After their marriage, Orville and Beverly combined their two dairy herds together and continued milking cows and farming until Orville’s knee surgery in 1989. Beverly took great pride in the genetic history of their dairy cows and together they continued the “Silver Dude” lineage in their herd that was her Platt family dairy history.  They were faithful coworkers for their 41 years of married life always together and involved in each other’s activities as a pair.

After retiring from milking cows and farming, Orville and Beverly continued with their church activities. Their favorite pastimes were attending household auctions and being active members of the Smith County Historical Society. In 2001, Orville and Beverly were named the Historical Society Man and Woman of the Year.

Orville chose to donate his body to the KU School of Medicine. That decision is appropriate given the myriad of health issues Orville faced in his life. During each of his many doctors’ appointments, Orville would have a new joke for each doctor. These jokes had to be a bright spot in each doctor’s day.

Orville’s extended family was important to him. Attending family reunions and get-togethers were a highlight of his long life. He was thrilled to host his 80^th birthday celebration for many relatives and friends in 2003.

Even though Orville’s physical body was deteriorating, his mind remained strong until his death. His stories continued to be a bright spot for the staff at Smith County Care Center. His faithful service to God and his repeated benediction “Bless us oh Lord and grant that we, someday will dwell in thy house with thee” was a reflection of his life-long faith.

Orville was preceded in death by his beloved wife Beverly in 2010, his parents Fred and Anna, a sister Lois and her husband Don Keller, and a brother Milford who died in infancy.

Survivors include his brother Roger and wife Stella Borgmann from Smith Center, five nieces and nephews and their families, his special friends Mike and Dianna Rice of Athol, many special cousins, relatives and friends.

Celebration of life services will be held at 4:00PM on Sunday July 1, 2012 at the St. John Lutheran Church with pastor Dave Kramer officiating.

Private inurnment will be held at a later date in the St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.

The family has requested memorial contributions be made to the St. John Lutheran Church or the Smith County Historical Society and can be sent in care of the mortuary.

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