Iris Jessie Holst (Jensen) Borger, passed away in Grande Prairie on April 20, 2022 at the age of 86 years.

 

Iris was born in Medstead, Saskatchewan to Karl and Ruth (McMillan) Jensen, April 3, 1936, the fifth of six children. As a child, the family relocated to Port Alberni on Vancouver Island where by all accounts, she spent a happy and adventurous childhood. After grade 11, she entered nursing school in Vancouver, and graduated as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse. She met her future husband Gus on a blind date in 1956, and was engaged two weeks later. They married just after her graduation in August of 1957. Three children and five years later they relocated to Alberta. Seven consecutive moves and two more children led to them eventually settling east of High Level in the Rocky Lane area. Her last baby was born at Fort Vermilion. In their retirement years, Gus and Iris lived in Rycroft, and finally Grande Prairie.

 

Iris loved Rocky Lane and her farm. Days were spent raising children, gardening, freezing, canning and pickling. She seemed to process endless raspberries and saskatoons. She nurtured animals, sewed every Halloween costume and spent hours on gravel roads driving children to and from sporting events. Iris enjoyed yoga, genealogy, wine making, bee keeping, and learning new skills such as tanning moose hides, and reflexology. She could repair almost anything and once built a cedar lined sauna in the basement. Iris was handy with a shotgun, and had a deadly aim in defence of her chickens, ducks and geese. Weekends were filled with numerous visitors and they never left hungry.  After her children were raised, Iris returned to her nursing career for a few years. She loved hard work and never seemed to rest, but when she did it was either a good mystery book or a competitive poker game.

 

Iris was her husband’s most ardent and loyal supporter. She followed him wherever he wanted to travel and encouraged him in all ventures. Her greatest virtue was her fierce loyalty to family and friends. She contributed to her community, serving both on the local school and hospital boards. However, it was her children and her grandchildren, in fact, all children, who received the gift of her undivided attention. She spent hours creating memories and joy for children. Even in the decline of dementia, children captured her immediate attention. Any child lucky enough to know Iris, experienced unconditional love and acceptance.

 

Iris leaves behind her life partner and husband of 65 years, Gus Borger, daughters Janis (Roy Erickson), Cynthia (Roger Gauthier), Charlotte (Brent Hauger), and Lila Borger; her son Walter Borger (Roxanne Canning), and Andrei Frizorguer (Andrea Jessome); grandchildren Jessica, Sherida, Lindsay, Lauren, Karl, Adrienne, Brittany, Alynn, Rhena, Mitchell, Michelle, Jeannie, Layne, Lareesa, Keylan, Daniel and Chelsea; and 22 great grandchildren.

 

Iris was predeceased by her son Tyson, and her son-in-law Martin Ellis; also her siblings and their partners, Helen and Ted, Harvey and Judy, Lea and Al, Howard and Bonita, and Arthur, niece Wendy, and nephews Ric and Brent Jensen.  She was also predeceased by many cherished Borger family members, notably John, Doreen, Leslie, and Ivan.

 

Iris spent the last six years of life at the Grande Prairie Care Centre. Her family would like to acknowledge with gratitude, the kindness and care given from the staff, during her time there.

 

She taught us how to love by the love she showed us, and we will miss her.

 

A celebration of life will take place on Saturday May 21, 2022 at 2 pm at Bear Creek Funeral Home 11802 99 Ave Grande Prairie, AB.

 

Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home. 780-830-7742

• Date : 2022-04-27
• Location : Bear Creek Funeral Home

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