Baker City, Oregon
Betty Borgen, 74, of Baker City, died July 5, 2004, as a result of an automobile accident near John Day.
There will be a celebration of her life at 2 p.m. Friday at the First Lutheran Church, 1734 Third St. There will be a potluck supper after the service at the Senior Center, 2810 Cedar St. There will be a private family interment service at the ranch after her husband, Bob, recovers from injuries he sustained in the accident and returns home.
Betty Louise Milton was born on Sept. 13, 1929, at Soldier Summit, Utah, to Carl Halvord Milton and Clarabelle Fouse Milton. She spent her early years at Soldier Summit, Springville and Provo, Utah, moving with her father’s job on the Union Pacific Railroad.
In 1946, the family moved to Baker City. Betty was a 1947 Baker High School graduate. She spent a semester at Brigham Young University at Provo, Utah, before returning to Baker City to work at First National Bank.
It was at Baker High School that she met Bob Borgen when he was sent to ask her on a date for a friend. Bob and Betty ended up dating instead. They were married on Oct. 17, 1952, at Winnemucca, Nev.
Their daughter, Karen, was born before Bob shipped out to the Korean War. On Bob’s return, their son, Kerry, was born and four years later, their daughter, Kris, was born. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends in 2002.
The family lived briefly at Medford and Ashland while Bob was working for Rogers Construction, then returned to Baker City and moved to their ranch on Marble Creek Road in 1963.
During her career, Betty worked as a bookkeeper for Levingers Rexall Drug and Baker Truck Corral, and for Marble Creek Logging, the family business.
Betty was a very active person, not only walking, gardening, bowling and cross-country skiing but supporting her children and grandchildren in all of their activities as well. She enjoyed her friendships and memberships in Soroptimists, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Lady Elks and First Lutheran Church. She particularly looked forward to her bowling trips with her team of friends.
Betty was passionate about every aspect of life. She held fierce loyalty for her children and grandchildren, deep compassion and empathy for those in difficult circumstances and righteous indignation for those who drove too fast on Marble Creek Road. She loved to talk politics, help those in need and grow beautiful flowers that renew themselves season after season in her yard.
“We will miss her little laugh, her energy and her arguments,” family members said. “Our community and family events to come will miss her presence and her apple pie.”
Survivors include her husband, Bob; daughters and sons-in-law, Karen and Glen Giles and Kris and John Runyon; a son and daughter-in-law, Kerry and Kari Borgen; grandchildren, Robert, Hallie and Laura Borgen and Megan Runyon; sister and brother-in-law, Nadine and Pat Guymon; and many members of an extended and loving family.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Soroptimist Scholarship Fund through Gray’s West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, July 16, 2004
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
