Robert “Bob” J. Borho

Mass of Christian Burial was held March 20, 2025, in Devils Lake, N.D., for Robert “Bob” J. Borho, 94, of Devils Lake, who passed away March 13, 2025, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, N.D. Burial was at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Devils Lake.

Robert John Borho, son of Albin and Lucy (Fischer) Borho, was born on Feb. 5, 1931, in Langdon, N.D. He grew up on a farm in rural Wales, N.D. He attended country school then graduated from Wales High School in three short years. He also attended Lake Region Junior College for one year. After graduating from high school, Bob continued to farm with his dad. For three winters he would go out to California to find work and worked as a riveter at Northrop Aircraft Company.

While joining in the celebration of the city of Munich, N.D.’s 50th Anniversary, Bob spotted a beautiful clarinet player in the Munich Community Band. He stole the heart of that girl, Viola Schommer, and they were united in marriage on Oct. 25, 1955, and were looking forward to celebrating 70 years of love, laughter, trials, and triumphs this year. After their marriage, Bob continued to farm, living in the PeeVee Elevator house in Wales, which was pretty rustic, so in the winters, they would live in Devils Lake so the kids could attend St. Joseph’s Elementary and St. Mary’s Academy. When Bob had time away from farming, he worked at Keatings and was a laborer at K & K Cable. The family made the permanent move to Devils Lake in 1963. In 1972, Bob built the Tastee Freez and was the owner/operator until 1989. This venture was definitely a family business and also employed many young people from the community.

Retirement was never in Bob’s vocabulary. He worked at Keatings installing carpet and linoleum plus hanging drapes, then Hesch’s Furniture, and at MacDonald’s Family Furniture. Many of his years at MacDonald’s included vacuum sales and service, which he operated until the time of his death. He also managed to work as a land surveyor for USDA for several years.

Bob was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, served on the church council, St. Mary’s School Board and many community boards. He enjoyed league bowling, played basketball and baseball in high school, membership in the Elks Lodge, and a Cub Scout Master for Troop #28. Bob never said no to a game of cards and in later years really enjoyed gardening, supplying family and friends with delicious produce.

What words can best describe Bob? He was a dedicated, devoted, a loving husband, dad, grandpa and great-grandpa. He treasured family, friends, his fellow Knights and all those valued customers he served each and every day. He loved his Lord, his family, his friends and his community. Though he may no longer walk beside us, his spirit will be with us always. Rest in peace.

Those who treasured and survive him are his wife, Viola; children: Gerald (Beth) Borho of Minot, N.D., Alan (Pamela) Borho of Grand Forks, N.D., James “Tiny” Borho of Devils Lake, Marla (Terry) Luehring of Devils Lake, Ron (Nancy) Borho of Thornton, Colo., and Duane (Norma) Borho of Abilene, TX; grandchildren: Sara (Raphael) Chakanestsa, Adree (Benjamin) Steventon, Rory (Ashley) Borho, Tanya (Nathan) Kraft, Angela Borho, Amanda (Jeremy) Lee, Jennifer (Nathan) Axdahl, Austin (Jenny) Luehring, Ciera Borho, RC (Veronica) Summers, Reese Borho, and Ryan Borho; great-grandchildren: Samuel, Atyra, Anashe, Noah, Micah, Lilly, Ellie, Corban, Madden, Dawson, Bridger; sisters: Myrna Rivard and Dorothy Montplaisir both of Fargo, N.D.; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Shirley Schommer, Selina Rohde, Darlene Schommer, Bernard and Aletha Schommer, Bernetta Ritter, James and Connie Schommer, Lois and Wes Parker, Elaine and Robert Perius, Arnold and Liz Schommer and Vernon and Linda Schommer; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter-in-law Vickie Borho, sisters Albina Reichmuth and Donna Waltz, brothers William Borho and Richard Borho, and parents-in-law Andrew and Annie Schommer.

Casket Bearers were his grandsons, Austin Luehring and Rory Borho, and nephews: Craig Montplaisir, Mark Rivard, Mike Rohde, Terry Waltz and Doug Schommer. Honorary Bearers were grandsons RC Summers, Reese Borho and Ryan Borho, and great-grandsons Samuel Echanis and Bridger Watson. Lectors were Sara Chakanetsa, Corban Lee, and Adree Steventon. Gift Bearers were granddaughters: Amanda Lee, Jennifer Axdahl, Tanya Kraft, Angela Borho, Sara Chakanetsa, Adree Steventon, and Ciera Borho. Music was provided by Patty Cote, Lynne Webster and Jay McCanna.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Joseph School and St. Mary’s Academy in memory of Bob.

Gilbertson Funeral Home of Devils Lake, N.D. was in charge of arrangements.