Gina Marie Forkel (Borgeson) was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota, on Dec. 24, 1963, and died on Oct, 7, 2021, in Bend, Oregon, at age 57. She grew up with her brother, Steve; her two sisters, Annie and Mollie; and their mother, Margie. The family moved around a lot while growing up – living in Colorado, Minnesota, and California before eventually returning to South Dakota. After graduating from Stevens High School in Rapid City in 1982, she moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to attend Augustana College for two years. In 1984, Gina moved to Minneapolis, where she attended Brown Institute’s electronics technology program and was one of only two girls in the program. It was in Minneapolis where she met Steve Borgeson and was married on Sept. 7, 1995. Gina was a long-time resident at Sugar Lake, near Annandale, where she lived most of her adult life. In 2014, her life took a new direction and she moved to Oregon to be closer to her brother and sister, and to help her ailing mother. Shortly after that, her daughter Kaeton also moved to Oregon and was living with her mother up to her last day. Gina was a rare breed. A trend starter rather than a follower, she introduced her own brand of fashion and music to those around her. Although she was the antithesis of an attention-seeker, people were magnetized by her free-spirit, brilliant mind, and kind heart. Everyone loved her. Copilot in the skies with her brother, co-conspirator to her sister on the road and so many other things to all who loved her. She had her head pointed toward the stars and her nose constantly in a book. A proud pragmatist and humble poet, she navigated life with a unique authenticity. Her passion for photography, music and arts was manifested in her joy of living each day to the fullest and appreciating the beauty of every sunset. She was a minimalist at heart and cared little for worldly possessions while focusing her energy on serving others and spreading her infectious optimism to the world. Gina’s life will be remembered fondly by the many friends and loved ones who were touched by her loving, self-less spirit. Born of Margaret S. Kinney and Ronald J. Forkel, she is survived by her three children, Kaeton, Felicia, and Jake Borgeson; her siblings Leanne Haifley, Stephen Forkel, and Monique (Mollie) Forkel; and four grandchildren; Eric Whitney III (Tres), Jenny Gerst, Jimmy Preston, and Lylia Borgeson. Please come share your own stories about Gina at her Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 7, at Sugar Lake. Please also feel free to bring any music, photos, or stories that help your heart celebrate the incredible human being who was Gina. As best stated in one of her favorite songs by Don McLean: Starry, Starry Night, “I could have told you, Vincent. (Gina) This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you.”
Gina M. Forkel
