Einar Borness

Thursday, May 24, 2018 3:41 pm

Einar Borness, 102, of Decorah, died Friday, May 18, 2018, at Wellington Place in Decorah. Services are at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 26, at Springfield Lutheran Church in Decorah, with Rev. Anita Nuetzman officiating. Organist is Lorraine Meyer. Special music will be provided by grandchildren Kyle, Kristi and Kraig Grimes (“One Day at a Time”. Hymns are “Here I Am, Lord.” “How Great Thou Art” (trio) and “What a Friend.” Interment is at Springfield Lutheran Cemetery, Decorah. Arrangements are being handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah. Casket bearers are Einar’s grandchildren: Kyle Grimes, Kristi Grimes, Kraig Grimes, Terry Brainard, Annette Krueger, Steve Roney, Troy Wangsness, Traci Hughes, Shanna Burke and Keith Borness.

Einar Sigvard Borness was born Sept. 28, 1915, the son of Engvold and Cecelia (Thorbjornson) Borness on the family farm in Springfield Township, rural Decorah. Einar was baptized at the Washington Prairie Lutheran Church and confirmed at the Ossian Lutheran Church. Einar attended the Lee country school. He was united in marriage to Jennie Johnson March 3, 1938, at the West Clermont Lutheran Church. Together they farmed in Fayette County, on a farm near Postville, and in 1947, returned to the family homestead in Springfield Township. He farmed with his son, Dave from 1969-75 and then from 1975-77, with daughter Joanne and husband Justin. In 1978, they bought a home in Arizona and spent nine months out of every year there for 29 years. They returned to Decorah during the summer and remained living near the farm until 2000. In 2007, they moved to Wellington Place Assisted Living and then into the Wellington Place Nursing Home in Feb. 2014. In his younger days, Einar and Robert Brandt teamed up and did carpentry together. Einar and Jennie also helped to start the “Swinging’ Squares” square dancing group in West Union and Einar also called dances. Not willing to miss out on the fun, Einar and Jennie took up snowmobiling in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. They both enjoyed playing cards. Einar was a member of the Springfield Lutheran Church.

Einar is survived by four children: Jan Grimes, Decorah; Joanne (Justin) Roney, Decorah; Lorrie (Chuck) Wangsness, Decorah; and Dave (Diane) Borness, Murray; 10 grandchildren: Kyle (Marilee) Grimes, Kristi Grimes, Kraig (Terri) Grimes, Terry (Mark) Brainard, Annette (Dave) Krueger, Steve Roney, Troy (Janel) Wangsness, Traci (Mike) Hughes, Shanna (Scott) Burke, and Keith (Amy) Borness; great-grandchildren: Jason (Bryanna) Grimes, Cody (Alyea) Grimes, Bethany (Justin) Stafford, Logan McGrane, Garrett McGrane, Brooke Grimes, Kramer Grimes, Megan Grimes, Leah (Jared) Barjenbruch, Khara (fiancé, Riley Martinosky) Krueger, Sarah Krueger, Montana Wangsness, Alexandra Wangsness, Alec Hughes, Raquel Hughes, Mitchell (Jennifer) Guyer, Dustin (Sami Lee) Guyer, Casey Guyer, Tanner Guyer, Anna Borness and Benjamen Borness; great-great-grandchildren: Alivia and Kinsley Stafford, Blaire and Ryann Grimes, Brooklynn, and Makayla Guyer; and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Einar was preceded in death by his wife, Jennie Borness, June 7, 2017; parents: Engvold and Cecelia (Thorbjornson) Borness. Four siblings and their spouses: Grace (Elmer) Lien, Signa (Bernie) Ehler, Mildred (Harry) Johnson and George Borness. Son-in-law: Ken Grimes. Great great grandchildren: Braeden James, Summer Rose and Aadline Paige Guyer.