Arlyn “Arlie” Bork, age 81, of Marion passed away Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at his home.
Arlyn Ray Bork was born at home on May 7, 1938 in the Town of Dupont, Waupaca County, to William and Edna (Gruenstern) Bork. In 1957 Arlie graduated from Marion High School. He was a lifelong resident of the Town of Dupont. In 1960 he married Darlene Rasmussen in Symco and after some years they were separated. On November 14, 1978 he was united in marriage to Karen Leatherberry at the Courthouse in Waupaca. The couple shared many good years together until her passing on January 17, 1991. Then Arlie found true love again and married Genevieve “Gen” Fields on October 6, 1998 in Waupaca and regrettably Gen passed away on November 6, 2007.
In his early years, he hauled milk cans and worked at the Waupaca Foundry. Arlie was an excellent carpenter and craftsman who built houses, garages, additions, and all sorts of projects for lots of folks in this area. Arlie’s other interests included fishing, hunting, and woodworking; especially projects like building rocking chairs and birdhouses. He also liked going out for a fish fry most Friday’s with his good buddy, Denny Kubitz, and to a few other establishments in downtown Marion with his old friend, Norman Fischer. Arlie will certainly be remembered most for his sense of humor and as quite the jokester.
Arlie’s real passion was playing the accordion in a polka band whether it was the Bork Brothers Band or theJolly Two Band. For much of his life, Arlie enjoyed spending weekends playing music for countless weddings and social gatherings. He was honored to be named “Band Leader of the Year for 2007” by the Wisconsin Orchestra Leaders Association.
Survivors include five children; Deborah Novak of Menasha, Jerry (Sue) Leatherberry of Leopolis, David (Roxanna) Novak of Neenah, Robert (Michelle) Novak of Fox Crossing, and Janice (Wayne) Malwitz of Grafton. There are eleven grandchildren: Angie (Brett) Nelson, Brad and Kelly Leatherberry; Jennifer, Nicholas, Nathaniel, Chelsey Tucholka / Malwitz; Brad Novak; Alex and Kayla Novak, and Dawn Fell. There are thirteen great grandchildren: Bryson, Bentley, Brevyn, Ethan, Wryker, Kierra, Kandra, Denea, Liliana, Sawyer, Nora, Roman, and Miranda. There are three siblings; Donna (David Behnke) Krueger of Manawa, Myrna (Glenn) Moder of Manitowoc, and William (Judy) Bork of Marion. He is further survived by many other relatives and friends.
Arlie is preceded in death by his parents, his wives Karen and Gen, two brothers Duaine and Byron Bork, a sister Eileen Lemke; and two brothers-in-law, Donald Lemke and Robert Krueger.
Funeral Service will be held on Friday, September 6th at 12:00 Noon at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Dupont. Pastor Karen Riemer will officiate and burial will be at Trinity-St. John’s Cemetery, Dupont. Visitation will be held on Friday from 10:00 AM until time of service at the church. Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Marion, is assisting with the arrangements.
Our family wishes to thank Arlie’s dear neighbor, Barb Sauer, for always checking in on and watching out for Dad.
