Sarah Borchelt

Sarah H. Borchelt, 93, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012, at the Lutheran Home.

She was born Oct. 16, 1918, in Gordonville, to Martin Peter and Clara Maria Eggers Hanschen. She and Benjamin Borchelt were married April 9, 1939, at Gordonville. He preceded her in death Jan. 17, 2007.

Sarah was a foster mother to infants for 12 years, caring for a total of 130 babies until they were adopted. In order to fulfill her dream of being a social worker, Sarah first had to complete her last two years of high school, and graduated from Bladensburg (Maryland) Night High School in 1959. She graduated from the University of Maryland in 1963, and in 1965 she received a master's degree in social work from Howard University in Washington, D.C. She was a social worker with the District of Columbia Public Welfare and then with Catholic Charities.

Survivors include two sons, Ben James (Carol) Borchelt of Rockville, Md., Paul D. (Bernadette) Borchelt of Richland, Mo.; a daughter, Margaret (John) Horn of Davenport, Iowa; a sister, Maggie Williams of Gordonville; a daughter-in-law, Debra Borchelt of Evans, Ga.; a sister-in-law, Peggy Hanschen of Gordonville; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a son, Joel P. Borchelt of Evans; three brothers, Edward Hanschen and J.M. "Pete" Hanschen of Gordonville, Walter "Hen" Hanschen; and a sister, Minnie Whitler of Gordonville.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Paul Short officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Andrew Lutheran Church, the American Red Cross or the charity of one's choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.