LOIS ETHEL (METCALFE) BORGER

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LOIS ETHEL (METCALFE) BORGER

10 December, A.D. 1938 – 15 November, A.D. 2023

(13) But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. (14) For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14



On Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at 4:43 p.m. (CST), having been given the precious gift of 84 years, 11 months, and 5 days of life, our dear sister in Christ, Lois, peacefully Fell Asleep in Jesus at St. Boniface Hospital in the company of family. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, wrapped Lois Ethel in His loving arms with a holy death and has brought her to rest at the eternal banquet feast of Jesus in the Kingdom of God.

Lois Ethel was given life by her Creator and was born on December 10, 1938, in Winnipeg, Manitoba to the late George and Ethel (Parker) Metcalfe. To her joy, she was brought to Harrow United Church, Winnipeg, to receive the gift of Holy Baptism on The Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, September 29, 1940, and was born a child of God. At age 19 on April 26, 1957, Lois, along with several other young adults who were preparing for membership and marriage at The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer on Academy Road, confirmed her Christian faith and received the precious gift of the Lord’s life-giving body and blood in Holy Communion.

On September 13, 1958, Lois received the gift of a beloved companion in her husband, Gerald, who preceded her in death eight months ago, on March 19. Lois and Gerald were blessed with 64 years and six months of married life together with all its ups and downs.

Lois is survived by her children, Jim, Diane (Bruce), Bryan (Lori), Christine; and eight grandchildren, Sarah, Joshua, Zac, Alec, Samuel, Lukas, Anna, and Isaac. Lois was predeceased by a sister in infancy, Barbara in 1932; a sister, Patricia in 1972; and a brother Michael. She is survived by brother Tom and sisters-in-law, Barbara Borger, Helen Borger and Jill Borger and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by a life-long friend, Nancy Clendenan, whom she met in first grade.

Lois grew up on Queenston Street in River Heights where she began many lifelong friendships. Those friendships grew and she added to their numbers with people she met at Victoria Beach where she spent summers, people she met at church, and even at Smitty’s where she met Debbie Hanton 30 years ago. Both Debbie and Nadia, from the Canoe Club, were a tremendous support to her, especially in her final days.

After working as a secretary in the financial district on Broadway, she dedicated her life to caring for four children, managing the hectic schedule of a busy household, forming new friendships and serving her church. She could be found cheering her kids on at the ice rink, the swimming pool, the football field, and coaching girls’ softball. Always one to learn new things, she embraced the emerging computer technology, often acting as a consultant to friends and family. Using this technology, she pursued hobbies of digital scrapbooking, photoshop, genealogy, and database management for her church.

As church was central to her life, she faithfully attended Worship services and looked forward to Holy Communion each Sunday. A pivotal point in her walk of faith was her participation in the in-depth Bethel Bible Study classes, which she attended along with Gerald. She formatted Sunday church bulletins, served as a Stephen Minister, was Sunday School Superintendent and participated in many more activities. Through the everyday struggles, she and Gerald kept God as the center of their marriage and family life. That faith gave her the strength and resilience to meet many of life’s challenges, including 25 years of health struggles. The psalmist says, “You have kept count of my tossings [hardships]; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” (Psalm 56:8). Through all her tossings, hardships, and joys Lois remained confident in the Lord’s forgiveness and grace showered upon her in her baptismal waters.

"The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21b). We give thanks to God our Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord, for our sister Lois (1 Corinthians 1:4). “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Psalm 116:15).

A Christian Funeral service will take place at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 1541 St. Mary's Road, Winnipeg, R2M 3V8, on Tuesday, November 21 at 12:30 p.m., with visitation preceding the service from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Pastor Cameron Schnarr will officiate the service. The Committal will follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens. A reception will follow the committal at the Holiday Inn Winnipeg - Airport West, 2520 Portage Ave.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Lois Borger’s name to Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church & School. Funeral arrangements assisted by Neil Bardal Funeral Centre on Notre Dame Avenue.

NEIL BARDAL

FUNERAL CENTRE

204-949-2200

Tributes: neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 18, 2023, Nov 18, 2023