Douglas 'Doug' Pegg Borcherdt

MERCER, Wis. - Douglas "Doug" Pegg Borcherdt, a longtime resident of Mercer, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, at Westgate Nursing Home in Ironwood, Michigan. Doug was born on June 30, 1944, in Wilmette, Illinois, to Robert Tilt Borcherdt and Alison Pegg Borcherdt. Doug was the youngest of their four sons.

Doug attended Baker Demonstration School in Evanston, Illinois. He graduated from New Trier High School in 1962 and Monmouth College in 1966, where he studied Spanish and was certified in secondary education. He was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, maintaining many lifelong friendships. Doug taught Spanish for several years in Williams Bay, as well as in Bessemer, Michigan. In 1977, Doug married the love of his life, Joan Bishop, of Highland Park, Illinois. Doug served on the board for the Town of Oma and on the Iron County Board of Supervisors for several years. For decades, Doug also was very active in the Long Lake Improvement Association, serving as its president.

Doug will be remembered fondly as the "life of the party," making friends with everyone he met, sometimes engaging them in Spanish dialogue, teaching phrases, idioms, and vocabulary as he did so. Doug loved entertaining, long boat rides, fishing, the Green Bay Packers, his family, and banana cream pie! Doug was a dedicated husband, supporting Joan in her passion projects, especially the restoration of the Historic Ironwood Theatre. They shared a love for politics, travel, art and music.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Bruce and Robert; and his wife, Joan. Doug is survived by his brother, Frederick (Lynn) of Tucson, Arizona; many beloved cousins, nieces, grand-nephews and grand-nieces.

A celebration of the lives of Joan and Doug Borcherdt will be held on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, 2679 Margaret St., Mercer, Wisconsin. A luncheon will follow at the church.

Memorials may be made to the Historic Ironwood Theatre at P.O. Box 187, Ironwood, MI 49938.