Arline Borgwardt

Arline Margaret Borgwardt (Dongoske) passed away peacefully in her home in Baxter Sunday evening, July 23, which would have been her 57th wedding anniversary. Her three grown children, Chuck of Detroit and Ann and Jean of St. Paul, were with her. She is also survived by
her grandchildren Patrick Dragonite, Tuomas and Antero Sivula, Courtney and Holly Heitter, Aqualla Belmont; great-grandchildren Cayden, Wyatt, Walter and Willow Dragonite; as well as her siblings Jim, Bob and Marion Dongoske. Arline was preceded in death by her husband,Frederick Borgwardt in 2012.

Arline spent her youth on the shores of Lake Minnetonka and attended school in Mound. She graduated from the University of MN with a degree in Home Economics and a lifelong interest in food, entertaining, decorating, fashion, sewing, knitting and numerous other creative endeavors.

Arline and Fred were married in 1960 and spent over 30 years growing a family and a business in Northfield, ultimately retiring from their veterinary practice to the shores of Lake Washburn in Outing to enjoy their golden years together. Arline spent her final chapter relishing living independently in the woods of Baxter with dog Benny and mementos of her 80 years of family, world travel and friendship.

Arline was well known for her warm heart, ready smile, and dramatic storytelling. She was also a talented musician and played the organ both for her church as a young woman in Mound as well as for the church in Outing. Her amazing spirit, resilience and bravery, as well as a little bit of sassiness, marked her as a fighter and allowed her to survive cancer, disability, and the death of her husband with style and humor.

In lieu of sending flowers the family asks that you make a donation to the American Cancer Society or your local food shelf. Thank you to Good Neighbor of Baxter, MN, and St. Croix Hospice for their care and support in the last months of her life.

Friends and family are invited to visit http://arline-margaret-borgwardt.forevermissed.com/ to share memories.