Individual Details
William Brother OSB Borgerding
(June 27, 1916 - April 11, 2009)
Brother William Jerome Borgerding OSB
1916-2009
Jerome Joseph Borgerding was born in Freeport, Minnesota, June 27, 1916, the sixth of ten children of John and Elizabeth (Kerfeld) Borgerding. He grew up on the family farm, attending Sacred Heart School in Freeport and, from 1931 to 1935, Saint Johns Preparatory School. Brother William professed first vows as a Benedictine monk at Saint Johns Abbey on July 11, 1937, receiving the name William. He worked as herdsman in the abbeys dairy barn and, beginning in 1954, on the farm at Saint Marys Mission in Red Lake, Minnesota. Brother William widely and affectionately recognized as Brother Willie returned to the abbey in 1966 and began serving as Saint Johns nighttime security officer. He became known among the students as the Night Abbot of Saint Johns, patrolling the residence halls, classrooms, and offices, dispensing generous doses of spiritual and worldly wisdom to midnight oil-burning students who came to welcome the interruption of his visits. Brother Willie also enjoyed working in the Abbey Woodworking Shop, refinishing castaway furniture and making wooden toys and coat racks. In 1994, the pub of the student center housed in the new Sexton Commons was named Brother Willies Pub in his honor. He retired in 2000.
Brother William died on April 11, 2009, in the retirement center at Saint Johns Abbey. He is survived by his sister, Mrs. Helen Ehlert (and Melvin) of Sauk Centre, Minnesota, many nephews and nieces, the community at Saint Johns Abbey, and generations of Johnnies who came to know and love him. Visitation and Vigil Service for Brother William is 7-9 p.m., Wednesday, April 15. Mass of Christian Burial is Thursday, April 16, 2009, 3:30 p.m., in Saint Johns Abbey Church with interment in Saint Johns Abbey Cemetery following the service.
1916-2009
Jerome Joseph Borgerding was born in Freeport, Minnesota, June 27, 1916, the sixth of ten children of John and Elizabeth (Kerfeld) Borgerding. He grew up on the family farm, attending Sacred Heart School in Freeport and, from 1931 to 1935, Saint Johns Preparatory School. Brother William professed first vows as a Benedictine monk at Saint Johns Abbey on July 11, 1937, receiving the name William. He worked as herdsman in the abbeys dairy barn and, beginning in 1954, on the farm at Saint Marys Mission in Red Lake, Minnesota. Brother William widely and affectionately recognized as Brother Willie returned to the abbey in 1966 and began serving as Saint Johns nighttime security officer. He became known among the students as the Night Abbot of Saint Johns, patrolling the residence halls, classrooms, and offices, dispensing generous doses of spiritual and worldly wisdom to midnight oil-burning students who came to welcome the interruption of his visits. Brother Willie also enjoyed working in the Abbey Woodworking Shop, refinishing castaway furniture and making wooden toys and coat racks. In 1994, the pub of the student center housed in the new Sexton Commons was named Brother Willies Pub in his honor. He retired in 2000.
Brother William died on April 11, 2009, in the retirement center at Saint Johns Abbey. He is survived by his sister, Mrs. Helen Ehlert (and Melvin) of Sauk Centre, Minnesota, many nephews and nieces, the community at Saint Johns Abbey, and generations of Johnnies who came to know and love him. Visitation and Vigil Service for Brother William is 7-9 p.m., Wednesday, April 15. Mass of Christian Burial is Thursday, April 16, 2009, 3:30 p.m., in Saint Johns Abbey Church with interment in Saint Johns Abbey Cemetery following the service.
Events
| Birth | June 27, 1916 | Freeport, Stearns Co., MN | |||
| Death | April 11, 2009 | Collegeville, MN |
Families
| Father | John J. Borgerding (1885 - 1938) |
| Mother | Elizabeth Kerfeld (1883 - 1973) |
| Sibling | Cyril Joseph Borgerding (1909 - 1977) |
| Sibling | Marie Ann Borgerding (1910 - 2003) |
| Sibling | Francis OSB Borgerding Sr. (1911 - 2008) |
| Sibling | Ambrose Joseph Borgerding (1913 - 2001) |
| Sibling | Robert Borgerding (1914 - 1986) |
| Sibling | Isadore Borgerding (1918 - ) |
| Sibling | Paul Peter Borgerding (1920 - 2003) |
| Sibling | Louise K. Borgerding (1922 - 2002) |
| Sibling | Roman J. Borgerding (1923 - 1977) |
| Sibling | Helen Mary Borgerding |