Henry Borreson

Henry Borreson, age 95, of Yankton, South Dakota, died on Thursday, August 22, 2019 at Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton. Funeral services are 10:30 AM, on Friday, August 30, 2019 at Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with Reverend Kwen Sanderson officiating. Burial will be at the Bethlehem Cemetery in rural Irene, South Dakota at a later date. Visitation is one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Friday. John “Henry” Borreson was born on May 29, 1924 to John and Jennie (Eng) Borreson at Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD. Henry often mentioned he was his mother’s birthday gift from God, as they shared the same birthday. He grew up on the family farm in the Jim River Valley near Utica. Henry attended Anderson Grade School near Menno. He graduated from Irene High School in 1942 and enjoyed math and basketball. After graduation, he helped his parents on the family farm. Henry reminisced of traveling to dances and weddings all around the small towns in southeast South Dakota and loved to socialize. When he was 50 years old, he met Sally (Schulte) Boeckman. Henry went from bachelor to married with 9 stepchildren on December 28, 1974. Henry and Sally lived on the farm until 1979 when they moved to Yankton. He worked for Portec/Kolberg, Nelson Farms and worked summers for the City of Yankton until his retirement at age 80 in 2004. Henry and Sally spent 27 winters in Mesa, Arizona where he could be spotted on his bicycle “cruising” the RV park or at the canal feeding the ducks and geese or socializing with his many friends. He was a longtime member of the Moose Lodge. He loved to work in his yard and go to McDonald's for morning coffee with his friends. He always had a hello and a smile for anyone he met and was always the first person to lend a helping hand when family, friends or neighbors needed help. He was always eternally grateful for when the help would come back his way. Henry is survived by his wife of 44 years, Sally (Boeckman) Borreson, nine stepchildren: Barb (Gary) Strivens of Wausa, NE, Bob (Roxanne) Boeckman of Norfolk, NE, Randy Boeckman of Humphrey, NE, Rod (Lesa) Boeckman of St. Helena, NE, Deb (Tom) O’Brien of Henderson, NV, Barry Boeckman of Yankton, Cheryl Boeckman of Chandler, AZ, Cliff Boeckman of Albuquerque, NM, and Marilyn Boeckman (Roy Hull) of Gayville, SD; 11 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and 27 nieces and nephews. Henry was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Elvin and John S. Borreson; sister, Mary Jane McHenry; and several nieces and nephews.