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Obituaries : Ruth and Wallace Borgeson; Former Teachers

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Ojai resident Ruth Ann Borgeson, a longtime schoolteacher in the Ventura Unified School District, died Monday after a long battle with cancer. She was 66.

Two days later, her ex-husband, Wallace Gene Borgeson, died of a sudden heart attack. He was 68.

“They were still the best of friends,” daughter Rebecca Monahan said of the couple, who divorced 20 years ago. “Especially at the end.”

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Ruth Borgeson retired from the Ventura school district two years ago after teaching at several elementary schools there for 30 years. She spent the last two years as a special reading teacher at San Antonio Elementary School in Ojai, Monahan said.

Ruth Borgeson was also active in Ojai since moving there with Wallace in 1958, serving as president of the Ojai Art Center for several years. The native New Mexican was an active member of the Ojai Presbyterian Church.

“Everyone loved her,” Monahan said.

Monahan said Wallace Borgeson was leaving his Ojai home to baby-sit her 16-month-old daughter when he had a heart attack.

“I needed to leave to make (funeral) arrangements for my mother,” she said. “It has been some week. We don’t know what we’re doing.”

Wallace Borgeson was an elementary school teacher before quitting to sell yachts in Ventura several years ago.

“He just loved boats,” Monahan said. “First he sailed a boat, then he bought one. Then he was living on one and selling them.”

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In addition to Monahan, who lives in Ojai, Ruth and Wallace Borgeson are survived by four sons, Wally Borgeson of Gasquet, Bill Borgeson of Santa Rosa, Chris Borgeson of Burlingame and Mick Borgeson of Ojai, and six grandchildren.

Ruth Borgeson is also survived by a sister, Georgine Jackson of Clinton, Okla. Wallace Borgeson is also survived by a sister, Dorothy Lamont of Santa Paula, and a brother, Ed Borgeson of Portland, Ore.

Wallace Borgeson’s memorial service is planned for noon Friday at Clausen Funeral Home, 310 E. Matilija Road.

Ruth Borgeson’s memorial service is planned for 10 a.m. Jan. 7 at the Ojai Presbyterian Church, 304 N. Foothill Road.

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