William O. Borgwardt

William Otto Borgwardt, 67, of rural Valders, entered into eternal life on May 1, 2018 at his home, after suffering for several months with pancreatic cancer.Bill was born May 27, 1950 in Manitowoc, son of the late Elroy and Lucinda Dill Borgwardt. He grew up on the family farm in the town of Liberty, attended Liberty Bell one-room school and graduated from Valders High School in 1968. He earned a degree in Dairy Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1972. On December 27, 1969, he married his high school sweetheart, Judy Vraney, at Salem Ebenezer Reformed Church. Bill owned and operated Sunnyside Dairy Farm in partnership with his father and brother, and more recently his nephew. Together they developed an outstanding herd of registered Holsteins that is recognized throughout the world. Bill loved his job and valued the friendship of each of his co-workers.Bill was a life-long member of Salem Ebenezer Reformed Church. He served as an elder at the church for 20 years, until the time of his death, and was a member of the Adult Bible Class and Men's Bible Study. He also served on several missions committees of the Reformed Church in the United States. Bill was active in several dairy organizations. He was a past president of the Manitowoc County and Wisconsin Holstein Associations, and the Manitowoc County UW Ag Alumni. As a longtime coach of the Manitowoc County 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Team, advisor to the Manitowoc County Junior Holstein Association, and a 4-H dairy leader he mentored many young people. Bill received several awards for his contributions to the dairy industry, including Honorary Recognition from the University of Wisconsin College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Distinguished Dairy Breeder from the Wisconsin Holstein Association, and Friend of the Manitowoc County Holstein Association.Bill is survived by his wife Judy; one son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Kathy Borgwardt, Janesville; three daughters and sons-in-law, Julie and Dave Wankowski, DeForest, Becky and David Kopidlansky, West Bend, and Lisa and Austin Mautz, Delafield; twelve grandchildren, Grace, Jonathan, Ella and Lexi Mautz, Morgan, Sydney, Eli and Isaac Kopidlansky, Meghan and Alayna Borgwardt, Brittany Wankowski, Pewaukee, David Wankowski II and his wife Maghan, Jupiter, FL; and one great-grandson, Caledon Wankowski; one brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Peggy Borgwardt, rural Valders; one sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Rev. Randy Argall, Green Bay; his nephew and business partner, Todd Borgwardt, rural Valders; and his mother-in-law, Helen Vraney, Manitowoc. He is further survived by sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Jane and Dennis Kueter, Platteville, Ginny and Dick Vraney, Keshena, Dorothy and Gene Kramer, Floyds Knobs, IN, Joanne and Kurt Krish, Athelstane, and Kathi and Chuck Vraney, Manitowoc. Three aunts, many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law, Milton Vraney and a brother-in-law, Dan Konkle.Bill was a man of strong faith, taking comfort throughout his life and during his illness in knowing that he belonged to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He loved spending time with his family, attending his grandkids' activities, and watching the Badgers, Packers and Brewers. He and Judy enjoyed many fun and interesting trips with family members, visiting most of the states in the U.S. and many foreign countries.Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at Salem Ebenezer Reformed Church, 6524 Highway C, Newton. Rev. Kyle Sorensen will officiate with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Relatives and friends may call on Friday at the church from 4:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. and again on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Salem Ebenezer Reformed Church or The Crossing of Manitowoc County. The Reinbold & Pfeffer Family Funeral Home of Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.jensreinboldandpfeffer.com The family wishes to thank Dr. Winkler and the staff at Holy Family Memorial Cancer Center and the nurses from Holy Family Memorial Hospice and Home Care for the excellent and compassionate care given to Bill.

Visitation

Saturday, May 5, 2018 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Salem Ebenezer Reformed Church
6524 County Trunk C Manitowoc 54220, US

Funeral Service

Saturday, May 5, 2018 11:00 AM
Salem Ebenezer Reformed Church
6524 County Trunk C Manitowoc 54220, US

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