Carol Irene Borgialli

Carol Borgialli, age 88, of Lincoln passed away peacefully on February 17, 2026 at Country House Memory Care. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Carol was the matriarch of our family especially after her husband, Orval Borgialli passed away in 2006. She will be remembered for her quiet, unselfishness, and serving family well.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan Thomsen (Greg), son, Merlen Borgialli (Connie), and grandchildren, Katherine Schmidt (Derek), Hannah Bierbaum (John), Morgan Thomsen, Nickolas Borgialli and four great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Fern Burg, her sister Norma King, infant grandson Nathan Borgialli, husband Orval Borgialli and son Mike Borgialli.

Carol Irene Burg entered this world on October 30, 1937 in Hot Springs, South Dakota, born to Walter and Fern (Bowers) Burg with her sister Norma arriving seven years later. Carol grew up on a ranch southeast of Hot Springs surrounded by the large extended Burg family. She loved the outdoors and following her dad around the farm.

Carol attended country school until entering Hot Springs High school. After Carol’s father passed away in 1952 when she was only 15 years old, her mother moved the family to Dawson, Nebraska where they lived with their grandmother for a year before returning to Hot Springs. Throughout high school Carol enjoyed playing clarinet in marching band and singing in various choral groups. She was selected as a homecoming attendant while in Dawson and chosen to be H Club Queen her senior year in Hot Springs.

Carol graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1955 and pursued additional education at Nebraska State Teachers College where she completed a one year business course in 1956. While in college, she met Orval Borgialli. They were married in 1958 and lived in Lusk, Wyoming until they moved to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1964. By then they had two children, Susan and Merlen, and Mike was born soon after to complete the family.

After marrying Orval, sports played a large role in her life. Orval coached wrestling and football at the high school level and later became the head wrestling coach at the University of Nebraska, and was his biggest supporter. She became an avid fan of Husker wrestling, basketball and football. She didn’t miss a Husker football game from 1964 until 2023 when it became physically difficult for her to attend. Summers were always filled with family fishing trips, usually on Lake McConaughy in western Nebraska.

Once the children were all in school, Carol’s sharp eye for detail allowed her to be successful in secretarial roles, most significantly at Southeast Community College, where she worked until she retired in 2002. In her spare time, she enjoyed researching family genealogy for both her and Orval’s family. Family was the cornerstone of Carol’s life. She was a passionate caregiver, which was evident in the way she kept her home, baking cookies, breads, and pies of all kinds. She lived selflessly, making her family’s passions her own. We will cherish memories of her gentle nature, lighthearted giggle, and tender heart.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at New Covenant Community Church, 6000 S 84th St, Lincoln, NE with Pastor Troy Heller officiating. She will be laid to rest at a private family interment at Lincoln Memorial Park after the service. Memorial gifts to be designated at a future time. For more information, please visit www.lincolnfh.com.