Rogene Busche Borden

Rogene Marjorie Busche Borden (98), who passed on December 13th, 2024, was born in Decatur, Indiana, on July 2, 1926, right after her twin brother, Eugene Marvin Busche was born, to Ruby Edith Smith Busche and Louis Martin Busche. The tiny twins spent their first two months in the hospital.

Her father joined the Purdue University Agricultural staff; therefore, Rogene graduated from West Lafayette High School in 1944. She attended Indiana University, majoring in English/Arts and graduating in 1948.

Rogene was hired to teach senior high English, but after one year found being the only unmarried female teacher was not wise (distracting); therefore, she decided to earn a Master’s Degree in Counseling at Purdue University. She was employed as Head Resident of a freshman girls’ dorm during the two years of class work. To her good fortune a handsome Marine walked in one evening, while she was on duty, and asked if she could fix him up with a blind date. Absolutely NOT! She wished she could be his date. After a few months of sleuthing by her dorm girls, he suggested they date. Tom Borden and Rogene were pinned in a few months and married the following year, June 30, 1951. Her sweet Tom passed on June 28, 2009, after 58 wonderful years together. Each year they sent out Valentine updates and Rogene kept up this tradition each year with the computer help of her daughter.

Tom and she lived in several states while he practiced forestry, returning to Purdue for his Master’s degree in forest management. Each time they moved to a different state, they had a child – Martin Scott (WI), Thomas Andrew (IN), and Beth Ann (SD). When Tom became State Forester of Colorado in 1959 and after moving to Fort Collins, they decided three children were enough.

Rogene taught English, Speech and Creative Writing at Lincoln Jr. High for 20 years and transferred to Lesher Jr. High, where she was a counselor for her last 5 years with PR-1. This message hung on her refrigerator until her death: “A teacher effects eternity. She can never tell where her influence stops.” Henry Adams. Thank you to her previous students who reached out over the years!

After retiring from a total of 32 years of teaching/counseling, she continued enjoying her away-from-home activities by bicycling, photography, lifting weights, painting and drawing, sewing, bridge, or helping wherever needed. She was very proud of her 35 years as a volunteer for Poudre Valley Hospital on Monday afternoon and loved those days when she dressed up as Mrs. Santa Claus!

In 2009, she was the recipient of an “Amazing in Aging” award at the age of 83, given by the Aspen Club. Her friends described her as, “A true inspiration who has a great attitude, is constantly friendly and cheerful.”

She challenged herself by biking her birth years in-one-day. The most miles ridden were 74 when she was 74 years!!! Joint replacements prevented her from continuing outdoor bicycling. She loved feeling the wind on her face while riding her bike.

She is preceded by her parents, twin brother Eugene, husband Tom, her son Thomas Andrew, and many dear friends.

Survivors are brother Roger (Edna,) son Scott, daughter Beth Wright (Clarke,) grandson Matt Borden (Regan,) and great-grandchildren, Blake and Zane Borden, step-granddaughter, Audrey (Pete) Zafros and great-granddaughter, Phoebe, step-granddaughter, Elaine Matthias and Rogene’s grand-dog, Dixie Darlin’.

The family would like to express their thanks to Lisa and Sam from Right-At-Home and all the caregivers that helped Mumsie laugh and enjoy her last months. Alliant Hospice nurses, Kristin and Taylor were so genuine and compassionate. Daughter Beth would like to give a special shout-out to Mumsie’s friends at the drive-thru Starbucks and the Human Bean, both on North College Ave. – Venti Decaffeinated Mocha Frappuccino Skim Milk No Whip and Frozen Hot Chocolate! Your smiles and recognition meant the world to her and us!

At her expressed request no service will be held. A celebration of life will be held by Beth, Scott and Clarke in the late Spring of 2025. Please check back to her online obituary for future updates.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice that brings joy, because that perpetuates love. Some locally based examples would be: SoundAffectsMusic.org , SavingAnimalsToday.org (Animal Friends Alliance), LarimerChorale.org