Bernice "Tootie" Borgerding

Bernice "Tootie" Angela Borgerding, 86, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on September 22, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Tootie, daughter of the late Oscar Ruether and Angela nee Ballmann was born on February 4, 1939, in Dutzow, Missouri, where she grew up on the family farm alongside her seven siblings. She spent her childhood on the farm, enjoyed playing softball, and hanging out with her many friends.

She attended grade school at St Vincent de Paul School and high school at St Francis Borgia High School. She was united in marriage to Carl Borgerding on June 27, 1959, at St. Vincent de Paul Church where they were active members for many years. Together, they built a home filled with love, and plenty of chaos.

Tootie and Carl were blessed with seven children, and later she became a devoted grandmother to sixteen grandchildren and great-grandmother to thirteen great-grandchildren. She took great joy in helping raise the younger generations, always offering a warm hug, wise advice, and plenty of love. She loved those babies, and her face would light up whenever they came to visit. 

She had many passions, including reading, quilting, sewing and embroidery, volunteer work, and later, golf. But most of all, she loved caring for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who have many fond memories of growing up together and sharing many adventures at “GC” and “GT’s” house. She will be remembered for her kind heart, spunky personality, her witty sense of humor, and her unwavering devotion to her family.

Tootie's legacy lives on in the family she cherished so deeply and the countless lives she touched with her love and generosity. She will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Jerome Ruether and wife Eileen, Urban “Chick” Ruether and wife Sophie, and Thomas Ruether; five sisters, Mathilda Ruether, Louise Schwoeppe and husband Marvin, Margaret Holtmeyer and husband Alfred, Anna Wessel and husband Donald, and Joan “Joey” Heggemann and husband Donald; and three brothers-in-law, Richard Borgerding, Vincent Borgerding, and Kenneth Jasper.

Among her survivors are her husband, Carl Borgerding of Dutzow; seven children, Barb Holdmeyer and husband Leon of Dutzow, Kevin Borgerding and wife Karla of Dutzow, Dave Borgerding and wife Cindy of Washington, Cherie Breckenkamp and husband Kurt of Dutzow, Carl Borgerding Jr. and wife Diane of Washington, Mike Borgerding and wife Jen of Dutzow, and Mark Borgerding and wife Jodie of Washington; grandchildren, Jenna Tobben and husband Timmy, Rachel Straatmann and husband Travis, Tiffany Desmond and husband Jake, Noah Borgerding and wife Addy, Kurtis Borgerding and wife Andie, Kourtne Borgerding and significant other Andy Skornia, Christopher Borgerding and wife Ellie, Joel Breckenkamp and significant other Kylee Carter, Kelly Rehmeier and husband Justin, Nathan Breckenkamp and significant other Erin Wright, Lauren Bauer and husband Dillon, Sarah Van Rossum-O’Connell and husband Kyler, Emily Borgerding and fiancé Max Williams, Adam Borgerding, Mya Borgerding, and Alexis Borgerding; great-grandchildren, Megan Tobben, Benjamin Tobben, Callie Straatmann, Haley Straatmann, Jayden Borgerding, Milo Desmond, Izaiah Desmond, Margot Borgerding, Ashe Borgerding, Remi Rehmeier, Eliza Rehmeier, Briar Bauer, and Carter Bauer; in-laws, Mary Lee Ruether, Ruth Ann Jasper, Mary Beth Patke and husband David, and Diane Borgerding; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 4-8 p.m. at Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 26, 2025, at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Dutzow. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made to the St. Vincent Church and School.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bernice "Tootie" Borgerding, please visit our floral store.