Donald Borgstedte

Don was born at home on April 16, 1937 in Washington, Texas to Lillian and Fred Borgstedte. He grew up on the family farm in Washington, Texas and attended Brown’s Prairie School. He graduated from Brenham High School where he excelled both academically and athletically in track and football.

He attended Texas Lutheran College on a football scholarship and also played tennis for the college. While at TLC he met the love of his life, Helen Almquist. On the night that they were crowned homecoming king and queen he proposed marriage to Helen. They were married on June 13, 1959 and shared over 66 wonderful years of marriage.

Don was the epitome of service. Don spent his life dedicated to serving others in ways big and small. He spent his career as a social worker helping to better the lives of countless foster children at the DePelchin Children’s Center of Houston.

Above all, Don cherished his family and took great pride in being a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He coached all the Little League teams and taught everyone to ride a bike, hit a baseball, and fly a kite. He drove his family across the country on numerous vacations and swam with his kids and grandkids in countless hotel pools. He was the best Dad and Papa possible.

Don read the newspaper cover to cover everyday. He could fix anything. He loved to grow flowers and mow the grass. He was known to pull the car over to pick dewberries or admire a field of bluebonnets. He loved to watch it rain. He loved Astros baseball, coconut meringue pie, and pecans. There has never been a kinder, more gentle soul.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Helen; his daughter Susan Wilburn and her partner John Wilburn, son Steve Borgstedte, daughter Amy Wood and her husband Richard Wood. Don was “Papa” to seven grandchildren: Tim Wuneburger (and partner Kaitlyn Herbert), Josh Wilburn , Sean Wilburn (and partner Caitlyn Ray), Madison Borgstedte, Steven Borgstedte, Caroline Wood, and Lindy Wood; and most recently two great granddaughters - Laine Wuneburger and Sloan Wilburn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Lillian Borgstedte, and his brother Homer Borgstedte.