Henry "Hank" Borgeld

Henry Nicholas Borgeld was an outdoors man in the true sense of the word. His hobbies were centered around being outside, from hunting to gardening and he included his beloved wife in almost every outdoor activity because she was his true love, best friend and soul mate. Hank knew how lucky he was to find a love like he and Lorraine shared and he tried not to waste a moment apart from her.

Henry was born to John and Mary (Popma) Borgeld on June 24, 1915 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. President Woodrow Wilson was in office during that period of time and America was in the middle of battling in World War I. America was struggling to stand strong in the mist of the fighting and eventually we persevered and stood out as a world leader. John and Mary celebrated the excitement of our nation's victory and added to their family another son, John and a daughter, Marie. Hank enjoyed his childhood with his brother and sister and found many ways to entertain himself either by causing mischief or fishing in nearby lakes. In his teen years, America was hit with the devastating effects of the 1929 stock market crash and the Great Depression which followed. Hank’s family suffered financially along with the rest of the country, but through their struggle Hank was able to stay in school and graduate from Union High School.

After high school graduation Hank took a job working for a florist where he enjoyed learning about plants and gardening but he also wanted to continue to gain more book knowledge so he also enrolled in a number of correspondence classes in accounting as well. His love for numbers and his ability to do effective bookkeeping came naturally to Hank. It wasn’t long before he found a bookkeeping job with a factory where he perfected his accounting abilities until joining the Army to serve in World War II. During Hank’s service of duty he traveled the world to places including Italy, Germany, Austria and France. Once he returned home to civilian life it didn’t take Hank long to settle into a great job with Lear Siegler where he worked in the office doing accounting.

When Hank was in his 40's, he fell in love with a coworker of his at Lear Siegler. Lorraine Rodgers won Hank’s heart which was a big deal because Hank was a long time bachelor. He and Lorraine enjoyed each others company right from the beginning of their relationship and they were always seen together. Many people assumed they were married when they were out in public because of their closeness and natural comfort for each other. One night while dancing arm in arm in Saugutuk, Hank told Lorraine he felt they should marry and in 1961 they were husband and wife. Lorraine had three children, Larry, Dennis and Donna, from a previous marriage and Hank easily grew close to them throughout the years. Lorraine’s children were grown up and out of the house when she and Hank became a couple, so the relationships that Hank shared with them was more of friendship, love and respect rather than a parent-child relationship. Lorraine’s children saw the joy that Hank brought to her life and they appreciated the romance and friendship he offered her.

In the 1970's Hank found some beautiful land near Bear Lake by Manistee which he purchased in hopes of spending time there hunting, fishing and relaxing. When Hank was 65 years old he retired and a few years later Lorraine joined him in retirement life. They were not the typical retired couple that got on one another’s nerves, but rather they relished in the time they had together doing things they both enjoyed. They would share their time and take turns doing things one another enjoyed as well as things they both liked. Hank and Lorraine fished, hunted, gardened, bowled and enjoyed snowmobiling together as well as annual winter trips to Florida. They spent many winters bowling and a few years ago they even had to postphone a doctor’s appointment because they were in the lead going into the final day of their bowling league.

When Hank wasn’t with Lorraine he found time to go out with his buddies to hunt and fish. He fished anywhere there was water, enjoying the catch found in rivers, lakes and streams and would also hunt deer in the Upper Pennisula and rabbit locally. He always had beagles and spaniels that he used for hunting but they were his pets too, which he loved and cared for. Hank had a love for baseball and from a young age he played ball and followed the big leagues, especially the Tigers. Hank was fortunate to spend a few seasons during his retirement years watching some preseason games in Florida. Golf was another pastime Hank took the time to master and he played all through life, even participating on a golf league for many years with Lear Siegler.

When Lorraine’s children began to have families of their own, Hank relished in the opportunity to become a grandfather. He was a loving and attentive grandpa who adored his grandchildren and cherished every moment he had with them. As soon as they were old enough, Hank had them out near the water with a rod and hook teaching them to be avid-fisherman. His grandchildren took to him as well and he remained close to them throughout his life. His brother and sister were also important and Hank worked to keep in contact with them because of his love for family.

Hank was not out spoken but he took the time to connect with others when they wanted to be with him. He was a tender loving husband, a dependable stepfather, adoring grandfather, sincere brother and good, solid friend. Hank will be deeply missed, but his dry sense of humor and passion for life will be remembered by those who knew him.

Mr. Henry N. Borgeld, "Hank", age 89 of Tallmadge Township, passed away May 24, 2005. He was preceded in death by his brother John. Hank’s family includes his wife, Lorraine; his sister Marie Cline and her children Carol and Dan Nauta and Ted Cline; step-children Larry and Mickey McKiernan, Dennis and Martha Lee McKiernan, and Donna and Larry Hooker; along with many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

To learn more about Hank’s life, friends may visit with his family after the funeral service which will be a service to celebrate Henry’s life on Wednesday, June 1 at 2:00 p.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van’t Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard NW. Please visit Hank’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Michigan.