SERVICES Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 13, 2016, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cherokee.
OFFICIATING Pastor Jon Riggert
CASKET BEARERS: Scott Borkowski, Todd Borkowski, Mark Borkowski, Jason Borkowski, Sean Lee, Mark Herrera
HONORARY BEARERS: Faith, Riley, Jen, Kaleigh, Chad Reinert, Dude Reinert, Scott Reinert, all the children who called him "Grandpa"
VISITATION Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the church.
MUSIC: "Amazing Grace" "Just As I Am" "How Great Thou Art"
Organist - Betty Koehlmoos
INTERMENT Cedar Township Cemetery Larrabee, Iowa

Laverne (Verne) Earl "Papa Verne" Borkowski, the son of Roy and Julia (Friedrichsen) Borkowski, was born on September 26, 1934, in Templeton, Iowa. As a child he lived in Templeton, Truesdale, and Manning, Iowa, and was a graduate of Jefferson High School in Jefferson, Iowa. Following graduation, Verne spent four years in the Navy until his honorable discharge.

On June 3, 1962, he was united in marriage to Judith Matilda Anderson in Terrill, Iowa. In 1963, they moved to Cherokee, Iowa, where he worked at Clough's in Storm Lake and later Brown's Auto Supply in Cherokee. Verne enjoyed camping, fishing, gardening, and making bird houses. He also liked riding his bike, traveling, feeding squirrels, deer hunting, and his trips to Dairy Queen. Most of all he loved spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren and the neighborhood children who affectionately called him "Grandpa."

On February 12, 2016, Verne passed away a Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa, at the age of 81. He was preceded in death by his wife, Judith Borkowski; parents, Roy and Julia Borkowski; two brothers, Merle and Allen Borkowski; and one sister, Florence Fister.

He is survived by his children: Kevin (Kim) Borkowski of Sac City, Iowa, Scott Borkowski of Boone, Iowa, Todd (Pam) Borkowski of San Diego, California, Mark (Sara) Borkowski of Rutland, Vermont, Kristi (Mark) Herrera of Cherokee, Iowa, Jason (Lisa) Borkowski of Boone, Iowa, and Julie (Sean) Lee of Anita, Iowa; 21 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Raymond (Barb) Borkowski of Forest City, Iowa, and Russell (Barb) Borkowski of Climbing Hill, Iowa; and several nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, THE FAMILY SUGGESTS THAT MEMORIALS IN VERNE'S NAME BE DIRECTED TO THE TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH PRESCHOOL.

Note: Pastor Jon Riggert is the son of Pastor Robert and Diane Riggert of Manning.
Jon graduated from Manning High School in 1996.

Historical background: Laverne was the grandson of Henry and Rosa (Kusel) Friedrichsen who lived southeast of Manning - members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lincoln Township, Audubon County.