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Ruth V. Borcherding, 100, of Schaller died Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 8, at 10 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Schaller. Burial will be in Schaller Cemetery. Visitation will take place Thursday, May 7, from 5-7 p.m. at the church. Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Schaller is in charge of the arrangements.
Ruth Viola Borcherding was born March 12, 1926, in Nelson, Neb., to Charles and Estelle (Rouse) Haidsiak, the youngest of 10 children. She was baptized in May 1926. She graduated from Nelson High School and took classes in Kearney, Neb.
Ruth then moved to Schaller and lived with Lester and Doris Haidsiak. She taught at Cook Township Country School and met the neighbor down the road, Harry Borcherding. On Dec. 27, 1950, Harry and Ruth were married in Nelson, Neb. They made their home south of Schaller and began farming there.
Ruth confirmed her faith in the Lutheran Church on June 10, 1951. She was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran in Schaller, always helping with Sunday School, Bible School, in the kitchen and attending Bible classes.
They built a new home and moved into town in 1974.
Ruth loved gardening, playing cards, fishing and having coffee with her friends, especially when she could set a lovely table with the pink dishes she collected. Refinishing furniture was a perfect match to Harry’s Upholstery. Harry and Ruth enjoyed wintering in Arizona for many years. Ruth will always be remembered as a great cook sharing her cinnamon rolls, cookies and popcorn balls with everyone. Her skills and recipes have been passed along and enjoyed by many.
She lived in her home in Schaller until the fall of 2024 when she moved to Methodist Manor where the staff and residents became her extended family.
Ruth will be lovingly missed by Janice and Don Barclay of Homer, Neb.; Gary and Anne (Fitzsenry) of Cherokee; Keith and Norma (Smith) of Manchester; grandchildren: Heath and Aleisha Barclay, Janelle and Dustin Nielsen, Heather and Nick Berning, Kristen and David Fahey, Ivy Borcherding, Kory Borcherding, Evan Borcherding and Rachel Sipfle; great-grandchildren: Ben and Rylee Berning, Drayden, Ty and Wyatt Nielsen, Elise Borcherding, Wyatt, Emmett and Tate Fahey, Jasper and Ellsie Barclay; nieces, nephews and many friends.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Harry; parents, Charles and Estelle Haidsiak; parents-in-law, Henry (Ted) and Minnie (Grieme) Borcherding; siblings: Leroy, Willis, Lester, Fern, Glenn, Ester Mae, Marie, Arthur (Brown) and John; and grandson, Jason Barclay.
