Del Borggard

1936 - 2025

 Clarence Delwyn Borggard, passed away peacefully in Taber on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at the age of 89 years after a short but difficult battle that followed a stroke in May 2025.

Del was born in Lethbridge on June 19, 1936, to Helen Lucille (née Sorgard) and Clarence John Borggard. He was the first of four children. He is survived by his sister Louise Veres, her sons Kevin, Kerry, Rick and Blair Brewin and her late husband Andy Veres; his brother Harlan, wife Bonnie and children Melanie, Shelly, Brad and Michael; and his brother Allan, wife Colleen and his son Joal.

Del’s childhood was primarily spent in Iron Springs before the family moved to Grassy Lake where his dad owned and operated the Grassy Lake Hotel. Del graduated from Chamberlain High School as class valedictorian in 1954. From there he moved to Calgary to attend the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology to study Surveying. During this time, he developed life long friendships with a number of great young men including Bob Beamish, Bud Hall, Ray Lee and Terry Wright to name a few.

Del was briefly married to Doreen (Booth) Lattin (deceased) and is survived by their twin sons, Randall Lattin, partner Carmen Elles; and Russell Lattin, wife Cathy, his son Chris and his three children; son Jesse, wife Jen and their three children; and son Marc, wife Brittany and their three children.

Prior to her death in 2010, Del was married to Margaret Elaine “Ellie” (née Grant) for forty six years. Together they had three children, daughter Lesley Sandquist (Geoff), daughters Valerie-Anne, Madeleine, Helena and son Nicholas; daughter Wendy Rempel (Mike Parker), daughter Anna and son Aaron; and Eric (Brenda), daughter Quincey and son Kellen. Throughout his years, he had lasting friendships with Marg and Al Davis, Neil Tidsbury, Peggy and Dick Morton, Peter Smith, Chuck and Gwyn Mikkelborg and many others.

Del is survived by his loving wife Ethel Fritz, her children Michelle (Rod McPhee), Todd (Charlene), son Trent (Brenda) and several grandchildren.

Del was disciplined in everything he undertook, be it exercise, work or charitable service to his community. He had a fantastic sense of humour and an openness of character that attracted people and made them feel seen and cared for, even if they were strangers.

Through the years, Del had a passion for art and reading. He enjoyed hunting, sailing, playing bridge and beating people at cribbage. He loved to travel and to relax when he could.

He loved Montana and especially loved the time spent with his family at the cabin on Flathead Lake, something he shared with the people he loved for the better part of twenty five years, making countless trips back and forth from Calgary every summer while balancing commitments to work and family.

Del was, to all who knew him, generous, caring and compassionate. He was always ready to jump in to help. He was creative and determined enough to help solve any problem he or his loved ones faced. He was dedicated to his family and friends and worked tirelessly throughout his life to make sure they were cared for. He loved his family deeply and unconditionally and enhanced our lives through his generosity, compassion and wisdom.

He pursued his work with integrity and dogged determination. Through his entrepreneurial spirit, he saw opportunity that others might tend to overlook. He also chose to help others through volunteer service, giving generously of his time and his skills to serve multiple charities and organizations over many years.

Del’s volunteer, business affiliations, recognition and service club memberships included Pheasants Forever, Bearspaw Lions Club (recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award and involved in the ‘Giddy Up for Wishes’ cross-Canada Ride (Martha Burkett), a 2008 Fundraising initiative for the Children’s Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada), Canadian Association of Land and Energy Professionals, American Association of Professional Landmen and Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators. His business interests (1956 to retirement) included Homestead Oil, distributor with Pella Windows, West Central Resources, Bonus Petroleum, Bonus Resources, Bonus Gas Processors, Mount Hawk Minerals, Louise Investments and Reflex Investments.

Del’s passing will leave a very large hole in the lives of all who knew and loved him. 

The Funeral Service was held at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. with Life Celebrant Shelly Bassett officiating. A private burial service was held at Mountain View Cemetery, Lethbridge.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Del’s name may be made directly to Lion’s Club International, (Lions of Canada Fund for LCIF), c/o Peter Oswald, 22 Dundana Avenue, Dundas, Ontario L9H 4E6 www.lionsclubs.org.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and support staff of the Acute Care and Active Care wards of the Chinook Regional Hospital, the Post Acute Rehabilitation Program at St. Michael’s Health Centre and everyone in the Active, Long Term wards and Palliative Care Services at the Taber Health Centre. The exceptional level of care and attention he and his family received in the final months of his life will never be forgotten.