Einar Borness

Einar Borness, age 102 of Decorah, IA died on Friday, May 18, 2018 at Wellington Place in Decorah. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 26, 2018, at the Springfield Lutheran Church, 1969 Middle Calmar Road, Decorah, IA, with Rev. Anita Nuetzman presiding. Burial will be in the Springfield Lutheran Cemetery, Decorah, IA.Visitation will be held after 10:00 a.m., at the Springfield Lutheran Church on Saturday morning. The Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah is handling the arrangements.Einar Sigvard Borness was born on September 28, 1915, the son of Engvold and Cecelia (Thorbjornson) Borness on the family farm in Springfield Township, rural Decorah, Iowa. 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 on March 3, 1938, at the West Clermont Lutheran Church. Together they farmed in Fayette County, on a farm near Postville, IA 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 twenty-nine 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 60’s and early 70’s. They both enjoyed playing cards. Einar was a member of the Springfield Lutheran Church.Einar is survived by four children: Jan Grimes, Decorah, IA; Joanne (Justin) Roney, Decorah, IA; Lorrie (Chuck) Wangsness, Decorah, IA; and Dave (Diane) Borness, Murray, IA. Ten 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 on 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.