Emily Jean (Peterson) Borton

Emily Jean Borton, 84, of  Houghton Lake, MI passed away on Sunday May 9, 2021 at Wellspring Lutheran Skilled Nursing Facility in Fairview, MI.

Emily was born on October 21, 1936 in McFarland, WI to Robert and Ella(Sharpee) Peterson.  She received her Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and then went on to complete her Master's degree. Emily was an Elementary Teacher for Waterford Community Schools the majority of her 35 year teaching career.  On June 22, 1982, Emily married Thomas Dale  Borton in Waterford, MI. The couple retired and moved to the Houghton Lake area in 1992.  They started Land-N-Lakes Realty in Houghton Lake, which they ran for 10 years. Emily celebrated 46 years of sobriety this past March, and was actively involved in AA helping others on their road to recovery.  Emily was a member of  the MEA, long time member of the Houghton Lake Kiwanis Club, Red Hats Society, and loved to do volunteer work especially when it involved children.  The couple enjoyed cross country skiing, motorcycling, and traveling together.  She enjoyed being outdoors, riding her bike, watching the hummingbirds, and cheering for her Green Bay Packers.  Emily's special passion was spending time with family, especially her grandchildren.

Surviving Emily are her loving husband of over 38 years, Thomas Borton of Houghton Lake; daughters, Tamara(Robert) Porras of Round Rock, TX, and Teri(Kirby) Brendsel of Weston, CT.; step daughter, Amy(Tim) Ross of Indiana; step son, James(Margaret) Borton of Virginia; five grandchildren; three great grandchildren; brother, William(Kathie) Peterson of Arizona; several nieces and nephews.   Emily was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Robert Peterson; and step son, Thomas Borton. .

Funeral Services for Emily Jean Borton will be conducted at 11:00am Wednesday May 12, 2021 at Houghton Lake Wesleyan Church  with Rev. Bryan V. Thompson officiating. Interment will be in Denton Township Cemetery, Prudenville. Visitation will be held on Tuesday May 11, 2021 from 3:00 to 7:00pm at Christler Funeral Home, Prudenville Chapel. Memorial contributions in memory of Emily are asked to be directed to the Alzheimer's Foundation, 322 Eighth Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001 or alzfdn.org. Christler Funeral Home, Prudenville Chapel is serving the family. Condolences can be sent to the family online at www.christler-holdship.com 

Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, masks covering the mouth and nose will be required, social distancing will be observed, and the funeral home capacity is limited to 25 people at any given time.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Emily Jean (Peterson) Borton, please visit our floral store.