On Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, our Mabs died very peacefully, surrounded by family, as a result of pneumonia complications. Our faith in Jesus comforts us with the assurance that we will see her again in heaven.
Born and raised in Brown Deer, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee, Mabs Wahlquist was the youngest of five children in the family of Dr. and Mrs. Milton C. Borman. A graduate of Kemper Hall in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Mabs enrolled at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota where she met and married the love of her life, Harold G. (Harry) Wahlquist. Together in Edina, Minnesota for over 60 years, they parented their four children with love, devotion, Christian-based learning, and the importance of family in one’s life journey.
As a family and as a twosome, Mabs and Harry traveled extensively for both business and pleasure, spending summers at the lake in Annandale, Minnesota and winter escapes in Palm Desert, California. Mabs was totally devoted to her family, organizing and executing family events and pouring out her love on her four children, nine grandchildren, and six (now eight) great-grandchildren.
In her leisure time, she was an outstanding gardener and maintained wonderful gardens at both home and at the lake. A voracious reader, she loved old books and antiques. She was a skilled seamstress and was a fan of England’s Royal Family. She and Harry spent countless hours together watching “Antiques Roadshow” and “Finding Your Roots” on television.
She also made time in her life for charitable activities as a founding member of the American Red Cross Tiffany Circle Society for Women Leaders in Minneapolis and as a member of the Minneapolis Junior League “LeagueAires” women’s singing group. Mabs was adored by her nine grandchildren for her love and generosity. She spent personal time with each – traveling, watching sports games, attending musicals or plays, church functions, and other school events. She was often referred to by husband Harry and others as the “Captain of the Wahlquist Ship.”
In addition to Harry, her husband for more than 63 years, Mabs is survived by sons Kip Wahlquist (Deb); Charlie Wahlquist (Melanie); Andy Wahlquist (Kelly); and daughter Katie Wahlquist; grandchildren Jennifer Johnson (Joel); Kimberly Ward (Jesse); Benjamin Wahlquist (Jordie); Taylor Johnson (Brandon); Jonathan Wahlquist (Taite); Cydney Mayes (Emma); Annika Wahlquist; Alannah Wahlquist; and Myles Wahlquist. She is also survived by her brother Ted Borman (Pam); sister-in-law Lois Husbands; brother-in-law Ray Asp; her eight great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and countless friends.
Mabs was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Phyllis Babb; brothers Milton C. Borman, Jr. and Pieter Borman; sister-in-law Marian Wahlquist Asp; and brother-in-law Joseph D. Husbands, Jr.
Our entire Wahlquist Family is indebted to daughter Katie Wahlquist and daughters-in-law Deb and Kelly Wahlquist for providing Mabs with love, attention, and comfort care during her 35 days in the hospital. We would also like to especially thank two Abbott Northwestern Hospital nurses, Darin and Heather, for the exceptional nursing care, wisdom and comfort they provided in Mabs’ last days.
A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3, at Washburn-McReavy Eden Prairie, www.Washburn-McReavy.com.
Visitation is at 10 a.m. A Celebration Luncheon to follow at Bearpath Golf and Country Club, www.bearpathgolf.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the American Red Cross, 1201 W. River Parkway, Attn: Kelly Glass, Minneapolis, MN 55454 or www.redcross.org; or a charity of your choice.