Norma Jean Borders
Norma Jean Borders
Cedar Rapids
Norma Jean Borders, 95, of Cedar Rapids died at her home on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, following a short illness. Service: 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, at Teahen Funeral Home with Ronald Otto Nickel officiating. Inurnment: Cedar Memorial Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Monday after 10 a.m. prior to the service at Teahen.
Jean is survived by her two daughters, Kay (Ronald) Nickel of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., and Mary Sue Baillargeon of Bernard; three grandsons, Timothy Nickel of Ridgeville, S.C., Daniel Borders of Iowa City and Gabriel Baillargeon of Vail, Colo.; one granddaughter, Elisabeth (Matthew) Hyman of Summerville, S.C.; two great-grandsons, Nathan Mitchum of Summerville, S.C., and Jakob Nickel of Ridgeville, S.C.; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Marion; son, Steven Borders; grandson, Christopher Borders; granddaughter, Stephanie Corpstein; and brother, Warren (Maxine) Litchkey.
Jean was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, Sunday school teacher and avid amateur birder. She grew up on a farm in southeastern Iowa and was the only child of loving and devoted parents. Jean was born on Nov. 26, 1927, in Des Moines, daughter of Frederick and Edith Marolf Hoffman. She enjoyed living on the farm, and preferred being outdoors helping her father with chores or riding the horses instead of working indoors. After graduation from Yarmouth High School, Jean married Marion Borders, the great love of her life, on June 1, 1946. Following a job offer, they moved to Cedar Rapids, settled into their own home on the edge of town and started their family. This fulfilled Jean’s childhood dream of being a wife and mother; roles she cherished all her life.
After raising her three children, Jean became a Sunday school teacher at Edgewood Baptist Church teaching preschool and early primary aged children for many years. She was a lifelong bird watcher and was known for her various pet birds. Jean enjoyed meeting people and always had a warm smile and words of encouragement to share. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Memorials may be directed to the family for an established charity.
Online condolences can be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.