Lucy Leta, daughter, of George and Mamie (Frank) Gawley, was born November 2, 1906, near Irwin in Shelby County. She grew up on the family farm near Irwin and graduated from Irwin High School in 1924. After graduation Lucy attended Cedar Falls Extension School in Atlantic and taught for three years at Jefferson No. 1 in Shelby County.

June 20, 1928, Lucy was united in marriage with Carl Borkowski on her parents' farm. Three children were born to this union. Lucy was a farmwife for many years keeping busy with a large garden, canning, cooking and baking, raising her family, and helping her husband. She was also a seamstress, sewing for her family, herself, and others; in her "spare" time, Lucy served as a 4-H leader, loved to crochet and do a daily crossword puzzles. She was also quite competitive playing cards and dominoes. Lucy was a member of the Pleasant Valley Club and St. Paul's Lutheran Church and Ladies' Guild. She loved to have fun with her witty sense of humor. In early 2005 Lucy decided that it was time to move into the Manilla Manor Nursing Home. She served on the Sunshine Committee and enjoyed the various activities and visiting with friends. Lucy died there on Sunday, August 29, 2010, at the age of 103 years, 9 months, and 27 days.

Lucy is preceded in death by her parents; husband Carl Borkowski in 1990; brothers George Gawley and John Gawley; great granddaughter Jennifer Wulf; and granddaughter-in-law Sue Borkowski. She is survived by three children: Gene Borkowski (Bobbie) of Irwin; Vernon Borkowski (Leota) of Coon Rapids, Minnesota; and Sharon Axland (Dean) of Ames; 10 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; sisters Edna Campbell of Irwin and Alice Kuhl (Marcus) of Denison; other relatives and friends. Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Myrtue Medical Center Hospice, or Irwin Fire and Rescue.

Funeral services were held Thursday, September 2, 2010, at 2:30 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Irwin, with Rev. Ronald J. Rasmussen officiating. Music was "How Great Thou Art" and "In The Garden" with Nancy Larson, organist. Casket bearers were Lucy's grandchildren, Sheryl Hopkins, David Borkowski, Susan Thraen, Kyle Borkowski, Terri Yager, Kevin Borkowski, Steve Borkowski, Tylynn Borkowski, Gavin Borkowski, and Todd Axland. Interment was in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Irwin.

Ohde Funeral Home Manning
Also in Bayard, Carroll, Coon Rapids, Kimballton, Manilla