Jane Borgman
January 14, 1923 - January 23, 2010

With her loving and sacrificial heart, Jane Borgman spent much of her life tenderly caring for her family. She was a truly dedicated wife and mother who considered these roles to be both her highest calling and her greatest blessing. Jane was a woman of faith whose life was a constant reflection of the beliefs that were engraved upon her heart. She certainly worked hard throughout her life, yet always made sure to take the time to drink in the beauty that each moment held, too. Jane leaves behind lessons in sacrifice, strength, and grace that will live on in the hearts and lives of those she leaves behind.

During a year in which President Warren G. Harding fell ill and later died, the Ku Klux Klan movement was gaining momentum, and the unemployment rate was just over two percent, 1923 was a year to remember in America. This was a year of celebration in the family of Louis and Dorothea (Gilman) Baumer as they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Jane, on January 14th. Jane was born in San Francisco, California, as the oldest of three children in her family including brothers James and Bruce. She was raised in San Marino, a suburb of Los Angeles. Janes parents divorced when she was eight years old, and her mother remarried a man named Olaf Lighthill. He later officially adopted Jane, and she took his last name. Their family attended the Episcopal Church where Jane learned to love the music there even though she never played an instrument herself. Jane attended local schools including South Pasadena High School where she was classmates with the young Mickey Rooney.

After high school, great changes were in store for Jane. She attended the local community college for two years where she took business classes. It was also during this time that Jane met Robert Hansen who worked as a liquor salesman. After dating for a time, they were married during the mid-forties. They were soon blessed with the birth of their son, Stephen, in 1945. The Hansen family continued to live in the Los Angeles area where Jane worked doing payroll for the Carrier Company. Although her marriage ended in divorce in the early fifties, Jane was forever thankful for the son who was a result of her marriage to Robert.

A short time later, Jane began working for Bank of America. Life took a pleasant turn for Jane when she met a man who would hold the key to her heart for more than 50 years. His name was John Borgman, and he was visiting his sister Maxine who was a co-worker of Janes. Upon their initial introduction, Jane knew that John was the perfect fit for her, although John took a bit longer to realize that this young girl from California was his true love. He called Michigan home, and Jane came to visit him on one occasion. It was then that they made an official commitment to one another. Not long after, they were united in marriage on February 27, 1956, in Muskegon, Michigan.

The newlyweds settled right in to a home on Jiroch Street, and Jane worked at Gray Trailer Sales. Her time there was quite brief, however, since in 1957, Jane and John welcomed son Greg into their hearts and home. Jane set her work aside for a time in order to care for the needs of not only Greg, but also of her son Stephen who came to stay with them during the summers. Jane was an active mom who was involved in the PTA at Gregs school and also participated in his Cub Scout den. In the early 1960s, their family purchased an eighty acre tree farm in Croton, located in Newaygo County, and they purchased a home there as well. Greg loved having friends over to the house to play or at times, they even helped out on the tree farm. Their family treasured the vacations they took together to Phoenix where they visited relatives. In 1974, they moved to a home on Houston Avenue in downtown Muskegon that was designated a Heritage Home after John completely rehabilitated the house.

Once Greg was older, Jane became involved in additional activities. She took a job at Meier Cleaners and also volunteered with the Cherry Guild at Hackley Hospital. Janes involvement at the hospital expanded over the following years as she later got a job there baking pies. Additionally, she was instrumental in establishing the Lobbyside Coffee Shop there. Although she officially retired in 1985, Jane continued to volunteer at the hospital until she was no longer physically able. Together she and John often enjoyed playing cards with friends and relatives and also dining out.

In addition to caring for her family, faith was another cornerstone in Janes life. She was an active member of St. Pauls Episcopal Church and although Greg was not excited about church during his younger years, Janes love for the church greatly affected him as an adult when he became just as involved there as his mother. In addition to the church, Jane was also involved in Daughters of the King, the Alter Guild, and the Episcopal Cursillo. She was an Associate of the Sisters of the Transfiguration, a recipient of the Bishops Service Award, and active in the Episcopal Church Womens group.

As Janes husband got older, she tenderly cared for him as long as she was able. Once his health required more than she was able to provide, he moved into a nursing home where she was an ever-present visitor. Jane remained in her home on Houston with their son Greg. After the death of John in November of 2009, Janes own health began to decline as the years began to take their toll.

For those who knew Jane Borgman, it was plain to see that her family and her faith were the most important aspects of her life. She had a compassionate heart and often reached out to serve others in a variety of ways. Jane delighted in caring for the family she treasured, and it will be her family who will be her lasting legacy. She will be dearly missed and warmly remembered.

Jane Borgman died Friday, January 22, 2010. Janes family includes her sons, Stephen Hansen of AZ, Greg Borgman of Muskegon; grandson, Josh Karafa; brother, Bruce (Inez) Baumer of CA; and several nieces and nephews. Jane was preceded in death by her husband, John in November, 2009; Brother James Baumer, and sister-in-law Vi. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2010, 2:00 p.m. with visitation 1 hour prior to the service at St. Paul's Episcopal Church with Rev. Dr. Thomas C.H. Scott, Rector and Rev. William Fleener officiating. A Celebration of Life Reception will follow the service in the Guild Hall. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a memory, sign the guestbook, or make a memorial contribution to St. Paul's Episcopal Church Futures Fund.

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