Gerda Borgen

Gerda Clara Pernilla Borgen, 97, Red Wing, passed away peacefully February 16, 2007, at St. Brigid?s Villa at Hi-Park. She was born January 16, 1910 in Diamond Bluff, Wisconsin, to Scandinavian immigrants Frederick and Gina (Mickelson) Peterson. She attended District 44 rural grade school in Ramsey County and graduated from Anoka High School in 1926. The next six years she made her home with her uncle, Axel Peterson, a Red Wing business executive, while she attended Teacher?s Training, then taught school in rural schools in Goodhue County. After five years in Goodhue Co. she returned to Anoka County and took courses at St. Cloud State University and then taught in Cedar, Minn. for three years. On June 15, 1935, she married Andrew C. Borgen, and they made their home in Red Wing. He served as Red Wing?s Deputy City Clerk for many years and died July 5, 1977. For 31 years she worked in the health care field. She began working as a nurse aide in Dailey Nursing Homes in Red Wing. Later, she became a licensed Nursing Home Administrator, and took on that role at Haven Homes, where she continued until she was 74 years of age. Haven Homes became St. Brigid?s at Hi-Park, where she had wonderful care in Assisted Living for the past 14 months. Her belief as a caregiver in ?showing the residents true, genuine love,? has been fully matched by the love recently shown her by the St. Brigid?s staff. She was active at First Baptist Church in Red Wing, including Sunday school superintendent, youth camps, ladies groups, State Training School ministry, and the 100th anniversary celebration. Her love and deep spirituality were spread to many friends and relatives. She was an active volunteer with the Red Wing Area Food Shelf and the Christmas Project. She is survived by one daughter, Mary Ann Julian of Red Wing; and two sons Fred (Dianne) of Ames, Iowa; and Lowell (Walda) of Maple Grove; one brother Andrew (Sharon) Peterson of Boulder City, Nevada. She had six grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Andrew, and five brothers: Hjalmer, Arvid, Floyd, Edgar, and George Peterson. Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday, February 19 at First Covenant Church in Red Wing with the Reverends Tim Anderson and Bill Malam officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. at the church. Arrangements are being handled by the Mahn Family Funeral Home in Red Wing. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Brigid?s Chapel, Red Wing or to First Covenant Church.