Donna M. (Tischendorf) Borchert's Obituary
Dona Marie (Tischendorf) Borchert, 69, Waupaca, passed away Friday, Sept., 29, 2006, at Riverside Medical Center in Waupaca, after a long and courageous battle with illness. She was the beloved wife of Leonard N. Borchert. Dona was born Feb. 5, 1937, in Woodstock, Ill., the daughter of Arthur and Emma Dana. She graduated from Woodstock Community High School in 1955, the same year in which she married James Johnson. Born from their brief union was one son, Eric who lives in Woodstock. Dona's second marriage was in 1957 to the late Harold Tischendorf. They had five children, Timothy, Dan, Wendy, and a pair of twins, Patrick and Michael who died shortly after birth. In January 1986, Dona married Len Borchert, who has been by her side through sickness and health. Some of the happiest days of her life were the years spent with Len. During her school years Dona excelled in vocal music. While a member of the Woodstock Community High School A Capella Choir, she received numerous awards and recognition for her singing. She was also a talented seamstress at an early age and had projects modeled in style shows for the community. She taught Sunday School, was a Campfire Girl, and was the Rose Queen at her high school. As an adult she sang with the Sweet Adelines in Waupaca. In addition to raising her children and keeping an immaculate home, Dona held several secretarial jobs, assistant in a floral shop, was a bank teller in Waupaca, and was the executive secretary at the Waupaca Foundry, where she met Len. After retiring from the Foundry, she was the executive secretary for Faulks Brothers, Inc. in Waupaca. She is remembered for the sense of humor, love of flowers, ability to beautify her surroundings, penchant for dancing, and for being a gracious hostess. Most of all, she will be remembered for her courage during her numerous battles with prolonged illness and her unselfishness despite her own burdens. Dona was attractive, creative, hard-working, funny and loving. She will truly be missed by her family and many friends. Dona is survived by her husband, Len; children Timothy (Julie) Tischendorf, Dan (Dora) Tischendorf and Wendy Borszowski, all of Waupaca; and Eric Johnson of Woodstock, Ill.; stepchildren Shelly (Brad) Kempf, Waupaca; and Terry (Jennifer) Borchert, Ogdensburg; grandchildren, Aaron Bennett, Megan Bennett, Bradley Tischendorf, Tyler Tischendorf, Jacob Miller, Joseph Koshak, and Noah Kempf, all of Waupaca. She is also survived by her siblings, Arthur (Florence) Dana, Menomonie; Richard (Jeanette) Dana, Bracketville Texas; and Bonnie Dana (Breck Inman), Arbor Vitae, WI. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waupaca. Visitation will be Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2006, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Holly Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Amherst, Wis. The family would like to thank Dr. Earl Anderson and the staff at Riverside Medical Center for the kind and professional care extended to Dona during her numerous confinements in the hospital.
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