97th BIRTHDAY OF ELFRIEDA ELIZABETH VOISARD BORCHERS
by Joan Borchers Glaser
On New Year’s Day in the year 1915, in the little town of Russia, Ohio, Elfrieda Elizabeth was born of Leo and Margaret Voisard. She already had a big sister, Mildred, and a big brother, Joe. She was born on a farm about one half mile southwest of Russia. The farm was to be her home for most of her life. Except for a few years after she was married, the farm was not only her childhood home, but would become her home for 60 more years with her husband, Urban Borchers. She still lives there now, almost 4 years after his death.
Elfrieda eventually became one of eight children. Following her were Irma (Sister Yvonne), Cecilia, Anna (Sister Carmen), Mary Louise (Sister Mary Louise), and Raymond. Growing up on a farm, Elfrieda learned to help with all the chores – inside and out. Her mother Margaret taught her how to be a good homemaker, to cook, clean, and care for younger brothers and sisters. Her father, Leo, taught her how to help with the chores outside. He even decided to give her a boy’s name, because she was helping with what was considered at that time to be men’s work. He named her “Pete.” She often told about having to wear denim overalls, and being embarrassed to be seen in them. She would run to the barn, hoping no one was driving by just then and would see her. But she liked one of the benefits of being “one of the guys.” She got to eat early with the men, and then rest in the shade before going back to work.
Elfrieda attended the local country school, Russia Local, and graduated after 10 years. While she was in high school, she noticed a handsome guy, and was asked to be in a play alongside him. His name was Urban Borchers. He was the son of Frank and Emma Borchers of Newport. They courted for a few years and fell in love. On October 30, 1937, they were married. He was 23 years old, and she was 22. Thus began 70 years of living, loving, and working together.
Urban and Elfrieda were blessed with eight children, 4 boys and 4 girls: Edward Leo, Erna Marie, Carolyn Marie, Joan Marie, Gerald James, Judith Janet Marie, Donald Joseph, and Gregory Cyril. All eight have found wonderful partners to share their lives. Elfrieda has 31 grandchildren and presently 43 great grandchildren, with more on the way!
Farm life was hard and physically demanding. Everyone was expected to help out. Elfrieda was even out in the barn milking cows the day that one of their children was born. Once her children were grown, Elfrieda volunteered as a “Gray Lady” at the hospital. She also worked as a volunteer at the Maria Stein Retreat House. As they grew older, and no longer had the stress of farming, Urban and Elfrieda took some much-deserved vacations. They also liked taking their camper out for week-ends with friends. And, as might be expected, they loved to have their children and grandchildren come for visits and of course to “shuffle a few.” They found card games to be a great way to pass the time.
“Love one another as I have loved you” could be the motto of Elfrieda. She is known for her Christian living. She didn’t know the word “no” when anyone asked for her help. She and Urban taught their children to lead prayerful and meaningful lives. They built a special place in the home for the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart where they prayed the rosary and sang hymns together every first Friday of the month. They read the Stations of the Cross during Lent and they prayed the rosary together as a family on Thanksgiving and every night during Advent and Lent. Elfrieda is a very devoted Christian mother, who took care of her home, her children, and provided them with good food and warm clothing, lots of love, and good Christian values. She and Urban both had a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and called on her many times. They also took time from their busy farm life each year to go on a retreat, Elfrieda to Maria Stein, Urban to Notre Dame. Now when anyone needs help and guidance from God, we, her descendants, all know that if we ask her to pray for our intentions, that she will do it. We believe that she has lived a holy and saintly life, and that her prayers somehow will have a direct ascendance to God.
Today, we her children, in-laws, grandchildren, and great grandchildren love her for her prayerful, loving, and kind ways. We treasure her smiles, and the time that we are privileged to spend with her. Truly she is one of God’s chosen.
Mother, Grandma, Great-Grandma, we pray for God’s blessings on you today and every day. We love you!