Arlene J. Hartwig Borchard, 87, of Austin, Minnesota, died Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017, at her home in the Primrose Retirement community in Austin.

Arlene was born Aug. 1, 1930, in Eureka, South Dakota, to Otto and Erna Wenzel. She grew up in Eureka, Pierre, South Dakota, and Aberdeen, South Dakota. She went to High School in Austin, graduating in 1948. She married Corlos Hartwig in 1949 and farmed with him, raising four children on their farm near Rose Creek, Minnesota. After Corlos’ death in 1994, she remained on the farm until she married a long-time friend, Robert Borchard of Mansfield, South Dakota, in 2003. She moved to live on the farm in Mansfield with him until his death in 2015, when she moved back to Austin and into the Primrose Retirement community.

Arlene was committed to family and guided by her faith; her spirit of adventure was exemplified in her joyful soul. Farming over 70 years, she was active in her church as a Ladies Aid member, choir member, and banner chairman. In her community, she was on the Hormel Home Board, Y-Matrons, TOPS, Library Board and a 4-H leader for many years. She had many friends in every place she lived because she was a trusted and loving individual. She loved to see new places and meet new people and went out of her way to keep up with her grandchildren, making each one feel special. She was looking forward to being with friends and family that had passed before her to heaven. She didn’t wake Saturday morning, but instead went to heaven. Her fond memory will be in her loved one’s hearts forever.

Arlene is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth and Becky Hartwig, Rose Creek; daughters and sons-in-law, Brenda and Roger Heimgartner, Rushford, Minnesota, Sherry and Gary Ehret, Eagan, Minnesota, and Robert “Rocky” Schammel, Rose Creek; grandchildren, Paul (Heidi) Heimgartner, Joy Heimgartner (Rollin Dubbs), Katie (Matt) Potter, Lisa Hartwig, Nathan Hartwig, Lindsey (Keith) Christianson, Laurel (Andy) Trisco, Leah (D.J.) Lindbeck, Sarah (Jeremy) Erickson, and Scott (Andrea) Schammel; 15 great-grandchildren; step-children, Karen (Jeff) Koch, Sacramento, California, Kay Atkins, Dix, Nebraska, and John (Anita) Borchard, Aberdeen; step-grandchildren, Rob Rath, Danielle Borchard, and Sarah Borchard; step-great-grandchildren; sister, Judy DeYoung; brothers and sister-in-law, Joan Wenzel, Fargo North Dakota, Rod Wenzel, Austin, and David (Sharon) Wenzel, Rochester, Minnesota; nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, at St John’s Lutheran Church with the Rev. James Groleau officiating. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Saturday at the church for one hour before the service. Memorials may be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Austin, or to Trinity Lutheran Church, Mansfield. Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.