Wilma Bornholdt, Thief River Falls, MN, age 90, died Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at Oakland Park Communities, Thief River Falls.

A Private Burial Service will be held for the immediate family on Friday, August 18, 2017, at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, with Pastor Matthew Howe officiating.

Wilma Dorthea Ostenson Bornholdt was born September 4, 1926, to Bennie T. Ostenson and Ida (Miland) Ostenson in Elbow Lake, MN.

She graduated from Elbow Lake High School and attended Fargo Business College.  While there, she met a Thief River Falls businessman, Mr. Peterson of Peterson-Biddick, who interviewed her for their bookkeeper/ accountant position.  He hired her and she moved to Thief River Falls.  It was here that she met a tall, dark stranger, who became the love of her life.

On September 2, 1951, Wilma married John Emery Bornholdt at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Barrett, MN.  She became the bookkeeper for John's road construction business.  They moved from their country home (at which they lived the majority of their married life) to Pioneer Court in April 2012.  In December 2015, they moved to Oakland Park Communities where they lived together 10 days prior to John's death.  Wilma continued to live there for 1 ½ years until her death on August 15, 2017.

As outgoing and gregarious as John was, Wilma was friendly but quieter.  She dearly loved her children and extended family members.  She enjoyed working at the fair, working the tax season for the Farm Management program at the college, and being a member of the Thief River Falls United Methodist Church.  She was an avid reader and sewer.  Wilma also loved music, playing cards, dancing and spending time with friends and family.  Two of Wilma's biggest joys were her grandsons, Philip and Peter.  Her other joy, was holding hands with and talking to her husband.

Survivors include her two children: Heidi (Bornholdt) Hoks of Waconia, MN and Scott Bornholdt of Thief River Falls, MN; grandchildren: Philip Hoks of Minneapolis, MN and Peter Hoks of Bloomington, MN; several nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and three sisters.

As per her request, only a graveside service for immediate family will be held.  Any memorials may be sent to Oakland Park Communities or the United Methodist Church, Thief River Falls, MN.