Jona Nelson Borden

Jona "Nelson" Borden was born January 20, 1926 in a converted schoolhouse in Nebraska to Oliver and Freida Borden. He grew up attending school in a one-room schoolhouse and helping his father farm through the difficult years of the dust bowl.

After graduating from Auburn High School in 1943 he spent time working the land until he enlisted with the Army in January 1944. With the Army he had his first boat ride to Calcutta, India and his first airplane trip “over the hump” to China, where he was stationed for over 2 years as the war ended.

Nelson then returned to Nebraska where he joined the National Guard and farmed the land with his dad until 1959, when he made a career change and moved to Omaha to work for the Continental Grain Company as an auditor. He also joined the active Army Reserve there in Omaha attaining the rank of Major. Through the years of traveling with the National Guard, Nelson was able to locate one of his father’s WW1 friends in West Virginia and went for a visit.

That is where Nelson and Betty met. The two became the best of friends through a long letter writing courtship and in 1962 they were wed in her home church. After a honeymoon at Niagara Falls, they settled in Omaha and 2 years later welcomed their only son, David, into their world. In 1968, Nelson was transferred to Kansas City and they built their home in Martin City where they lived the rest of their lives.

Nelson retired from Continental Grain in 1986 and began to travel with Betty visiting relatives around the country in their beloved big cars. Many memories were made through the years and in later years, Nelson traced his family back hundreds of years and wrote the family history book to pass on to his descendants.

Jesus has always been at the center of the Borden family. Nelson and Betty were hungry for God’s word and finally found Blue Ridge Bible Church in 1969. It was then and still is a Bible believing, Bible teaching, evangelical, independent Christian church, although its location and name has changed to Word of Grace Fellowship. Nelson and Betty were active volunteers in several ministries, including head usher, deacon, finance committee and leader of the seniors Bible study.

Nelson was able to remain in his home until the end, as he wanted, in part due to the kindness and friendship of his many neighbors. He loved telling stories, mowing his own lawn, going to church on Sundays and lunch and dinner dates with friends and family. His greatest love was first for Jesus and the close second his wife. Nelson was preceded in death by his bride Betty, whom he’s now rejoicing with in heaven. He is survived by his son David and wife Ginny and their daughter Elizabeth, grandchildren Kyle and wife Calesta, Matthew and wife Cheyenne, and their 3 children Kylee, Henry and Charlotte.

A Visitation for Jona will be held Friday, April 29, 2022 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131. A funeral service will follow from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. This will be followed by a Committal Service with Full Military Honors at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial Contributions may be made in Jona's name to Word of Grace Fellowship, 11950 East State Rte 350, Raytown, MO 64138.