Mary M. Borke

Mary M. Borke Mary Margaret (Farrell) Borke was born in Milwaukee on November 7, 1924 to Ed and Genevieve (Clifford) Farrell, and died September 14, 2009. Mary was educated in Milwaukee Catholic schools and graduated from Mount Mary College in 1946. She taught in Seymour WI from 1946 to 1950. In 1950 she began teaching at Athens High School in Athens WI. She married Fred L. (Fritz) Borke in Milwaukee on November 22, 1951. She retired from teaching in 1985. For several years after retirement she was a substitute teacher at the high school and grade schools and tutored at St. Anthony's grade school. She was involved with the Athens High School Alumni Association and was a member of St. Anthony's Church, the PCCW, VFW Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, Marathon County Retired Teachers and Wisconsin Retired Educators Association. Mary is survived by five daughters, Monica (D'Arcy) Keating, Richards Landing, Ontario; Janelle (Ed) Ewen, Stevens Point; Laurie (Dave) Moritzen, Merrill; Kelly, Minneapolis, MN; and Amy (Duane) Boris, Maplewood, MN; four granchildren, Shaunda (Antonio) Hermenegildo, Matthew Keating, Riley Boris, and MacKenzie Boris; one great-grandson, Karter Hermenegildo; special nephew Ed "Bud" (Judy) Borke, Waunakee, WI; and foster son Jeff (Chris) Draper; one sister, Theresa (Ralph) Feiertag; brother-in-law, Tom Gaffney; and sister-in-law, Joan Farrell. Preceding her in death were her husband Fritz, infant sons James and Richard; one sister, Pat Gaffney; and one brother, Dan Farrell. While in Athens, "Mrs. Borke's" central subject was English, but also included Social Problems, Civics, Health, and Physical Education. Her stamp went all over Athens High School as cheerleading and forensics coach, newspaper and Pep Club advisor, and she was the publicist for the school. She wrote the school district newsletter and the Bluejay Beat newspaper column. Mary enjoyed playing cards and going for coffee. She rarely missed watching a Brewer game and was an avid Green Bay Packers fan. She surely enjoyed the Packers' win over the Bears on Sunday night. The funeral mass will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 18, 2009 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens. The Very Rev. Charles Hiebl will preside. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Athens. Friends may call on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens and again on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in Mary's name. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com