Marietta M Bornholdt

Marietta Manalang Bornholdt, age 75, of Fridley, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2025. After years of struggling with her health, she is finally home in Heaven with her Maker. She was such a caring soul, who strived to help others even while she struggled to survive. Whether she was helping her sons financially, providing a friend with Ensure, or donating money to the animals and Veterans, she put others before herself. She was one of those rare individuals with a generous, giving heart. Marietta was born March 28, 1950, in Manila, Philippines. She met Ed DeRocker when he was stationed with the US Navy in the Philippines. They were married at the Navy base. She had her first son, Dee, in November 1969. The Navy sent Ed to Oakland, California and he was discharged from the Navy prior to Dee's birth. Ed went back to the Philippines and brought Dee back to the US and later returned for Marietta when her paperwork was complete. They lived in Oakland for several months and then Marietta, Ed, and Dee moved to Ed's hometown of Hinckley, Minnesota. Their son Dean was born in January 1971, and their son Chad was born in January 1977. Marietta was an excellent cook and enjoyed making delicious meals for family and friends. She enjoyed socializing and dancing. She studied hard and became a United States citizen. After her divorce from Ed, Marietta moved to the Twin Cities. She married Bill Bornholdt, and they lived in Columbia Heights. She made many friends in the community. She and Bill later divorced. Marietta received other marriage proposals but only accepted when Roger Pearson asked for her hand. Though there was a 20-year age gap, he remained loyal and assisted with her recovery from two strokes. He was her protector and took care of all the laundry so she could avoid the steps. Roger brought Spot into Marietta's life as well, he was a spunky rat-terrier mix who loved both his mommy and daddy. After a tragic ending to her engagement with Roger due to his death, she became homeless, and a new friend, Jolene Coleman, came into her life. This friend was there to help her with basic needs, cash, and McDonalds ice cream cones for Spot when others turned her away. "Hit me with your best shot" could have been her theme song, as she never allowed anyone to break her soul even when others hurt or took advantage of her giving nature. This friendship, which started as kind gestures and moral support flourished over the years into a meaningful friendship that resulted in daily calls and together, they eventually were able to get her off the streets and into housing, and later, her cherished dream apartment in Fridley. As someone who embraced American culture, she wanted to share the 'good life' with other family members back home in the Philippines. She worked hard, working overtime and at times multiple jobs to save money to bring her mother to the United States in 1985 and her sister Susan and brother Salvador Jr. to the United States in 1996. She will be fondly remembered by friends and family members for her love of cooking and her spunky, stubborn attitude. She was very generous and gave everything to others, even if she was in need herself. The day before her passing was filled with a mini-jam session and singing to songs from the 1960s, such as Connie Francis' "Where the Boys Are" and Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love." She was preceded in death by her father Salvador Mercado Sr., mother Filomena Manalang, brothers Salvador Mercado Jr. and Roberto Mercado, and a great niece Ayanna Mae. She is survived by her sons Dee, Dean and Chad DeRocker, granddaughter Kourtney (Craig) Braford, great-grandchildren RoseMary and Charles Braford, sister Susan Mallare, nephews Sonny and Jose Mercado and great-nieces Carlyn and Kathleen. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Monday, July 21st at Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapel, 1827 Coon Rapids Blvd., Coon Rapids, MN 55433. Visitation is at 1:00PM followed by a memorial service at 2:00PM.

Tributes

Marietta M Bornholdt

March 28, 1950 - July 4, 2025

Tributes

Marietta M Bornholdt

March 28, 1950 - July 4, 2025

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