Rudolph (Rudy) B. Borman, 88, of 2606 14th Street, Eau Claire died peacefully on Thursday morning, November 2, 2006, at his home, as he had wanted. Rudy was born in the town of Texas near Wausau, WI on April 18, 1918, one of six children to Robert and Alma (Steffen) Borman. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in the town of Texas, and graduated from the eighth grade at a one room school there. He worked on the family farm and as a hired man at another area farm until he was drafted into the Army in 1942.\r\nHe trained at Fort Niagara and served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II, at the rank of Staff Sergeant until his honorable discharge in 1945.\r\nAfter the war Rudy came to the Eau Claire area and bought land in the townships of Union and Seymour. Trained as a Heavy Equipment Operator, he joined the Operating Engineers Union in 1946. \r\nHe met a nurse, Betty D. Dahl, at Fournier's Ballroom and they were married at Rock Creek Lutheran Church on December 12, 1948. \r\nRudy had to go where the work was so the family moved often. Rudy worked on many projects, from hydroelectric plants, the Hwy 53 bypass now called Hastings Way, Turnpikes in North Carolina and West Virginia, the Interstate system and many other roads and streets in Wisconsin and Minnesota for many different employers. They always returned to Eau Claire for the birth of their three children and always planned to build a home there. The family lived in La Crosse from 1959 to 1969 where Rudy worked for Mathy Construction much of the time and was very active in Trinity Lutheran Church there.\r\nIn 1969 they finally built their home on 14th Street in Eau Claire. Rudy retired at the age of 63 when work became scarce and he thought the younger people, who had families to support, needed it more. He was never one to sit still and liked working with wood in his shop at home. He made many items for the house as well as for family and friends. He volunteered for many services including delivering food to the needy and giving rides to those in need of transportation. He was always willing to lend a hand. He liked spending time in his garden, caring for of his lawn, and taking care of his dogs. He enjoyed driving and meeting people. Rudy and Betty tried to get to every family function and he was as close to Betty's family as his own. Rudy was well liked by children, perhaps because he could wiggle his ears.\r\nHe was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd and helped out on many projects there until Betty's health started to decline, keeping him home. Rudy's Alzheimer's symptoms started about the same time, as he lost weight, began having memory problems and couldn't concentrate. Betty died in May of 2004. Rudy had to quit driving in January of 2005 as almost everything that made him Rudy was slowly taken away.\r\nRudolph is survived by two sons, Donald Borman of Eau Claire and Randall Borman of Arena; his daughter, Jean Borman of Albuquerque, NM; two grandchildren, Brian of New Britain, CT; Jon Borman of Reedsburg; three sisters-in-law Bev (Dale) Johnson of Colfax, Carol Johnson of Mondovi, and Verna Borman of Aniwa; three brothers-in- law, Eugene Dahl of Altoona, Harvey Seidler of Wausau, and Edward Mallak of the town of Texas, WI; many nieces and nephews who were all very special to Rudy, and his good friend Betty Druschel of Eau Claire.\r\nHe was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; his parents; a brother, Carl Borman; four sisters, Mabel (Everet) Polki, Myrtle (Lloyd) Brandenburg, Florence Mallak, and Lillian Seidler; a sister-in-law, Doris Dahl; and good friend Art Druschel.\r\nHis family would like to thank the home care providers of Home Instead Senior Care, especially LeRoy Steves for their care in the difficult times.\r\nFuneral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, November 9, 2006, at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd with Pastor Paul D. L. Oppedahl officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery where American Legion Post #53 will conduct military graveside honors. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Thursday at the church.\r\nFamily requests memorials be directed to Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1120 Cedar St., Eau Claire ,WI 54703.

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