Blanche Elaine Borcher

Jesus called and she answered. Blanche Elaine Borcher, 84 years old, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Nov. 4, 2019 at her home in Billings, MT. She touched the lives of so many family and friends through the years with her engaging smile and desire to be of service to those she knew. Her absence will be felt by those who knew and loved her.

Elaine was born in Greybull, WY. on January 21, 1935, the third daughter of Marion and Blanche Wales. She was raised in the Burlington and Greybull area, graduating from Greybull High School in 1953. She told interesting stories of her childhood growing up in a family with 5 siblings, riding horses with friends and attending barn dances as a young girl while her father played fiddle during the dances.

She moved to Powell upon graduating high school and began working at Johnny’s Snack Shop on Main Street. It was here she met and fell in love with the man who made her his bride. Merlin Borcher and Elaine were married in 1953 and celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in December this past year.

Merlin and Elaine farmed on East Willwood for 52 years, where they raised their four children. Family was important to Elaine and often times the extended family would come together for birthday and holiday celebrations. Music often filled the house during these special times when her father, sister, brother and daughters would play their musical instruments together. In 2005, they sold the farm and moved into their brand new home in Powell that was home to them for 10 years until their health required them to move into assisted living. In 2017 they moved to Canyon Creek Memory Center in Billings, MT. where Merlin currently resides. Elaine also spent many years working in retail businesses in Powell. Her wonderful smile and warm greetings met each person she came in contact with and soon a stranger would become her friend.

Elaine was an active member of the Powell First United Methodist Church where she participated in teaching Sunday School, assisted in raising money for missionary work through UMW and would lend a helping hand to anyone needing assistance. Merlin and Elaine were both active participants in the Walk to Emmaus for many years, where they encouraged participants to live out their lives in service to discipleship in their homes, church and community.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Marion and Blanche, her sisters Doralee and Malah, brother Duaine and son-in-law James Rodgers. She is survived by her husband, Merlin, daughters Marlene Rodgers of Twin Falls, ID, Charlene (Denny) Irion of Charlotte, NC, and sons Greg Borcher and Mike (Jaclyn) Borcher of Powell, her sister, Loretta (Cork) Blevins of Burlingame, CA and brother Harry (Georgia) Wales of Cheyenne WY. and sister in-law Mildred Emery of Powell. She is also survived by her 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be held for Elaine at the Powell First United Methodist church on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019 at 10:00 AM with burial at the Crown Hill Cemetery following the service. Pallbearers for her service will be her six grandsons, Schain Irion of Houston, TX, Andrew and Casey Borcher of Powell, Bryan Borcher of Billings, MT, Dustin Borcher of Shoshoni, WY and Brad Rodgers of Twin Falls, ID.

We would like to thank the physicians, nurses and staff of Canyon Creek Memory Care for their love and care of our mother the past three years. Your dedication to the caring of elderly adults was exemplified through your love and respect to all you serve.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest a donation to the First United Church in Powell, in Elaine’s name.

Condolences may be sent online to www.thompsonfuneral.net or to P.O. Box 807, Powell, WY 82435.