Glenn Eugene Borgman was born on October 2, 1932, in Oskaloosa Iowa. He was the fourth of five children that were born to Worp and Minnie (Van Rheenen) Borgman. Glenn received his elementary education at the Flint Ridge #9 Country School graduating in 1946 with classmates Effie Pleima and Harry Pippel. Glenn and Harry went to Pella Public High School and graduated in the Class of 1950. Glenn enjoyed sports and was captain of his high school basketball team.
After graduation, Glenn enrolled at Central College in Pella. He majored in Biology, played football and basketball. His time at Central was interrupted by his military service. In 1953, Glenn was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He served until he was honorably discharged in 1955 and returned to Central College.
Prior to Glenn's military service, he met Shirley Van Konynenburg, a California blonde who came all the way to Central for college. On Sadie Hawkin's Day in 1953, Glenn and Shirley met. They remained faithful to each other through Glenn's military service and were married in 1955. They returned to Pella and lived in the barracks at Central College. Glenn graduated with the Class of 1956. He worked for a chemical company in Des Moines, Iowa for two years and then took over the family farm.
Glenn was a farmer at heart but also loved people and sales. He went to work for Hoeksema's Implement selling farm equipment from 1979 until 1984. He then went to work for Ver Dught Agency as an insurance agent until his retirement.
Glenn loved people and found fulfillment volunteering in the community. He served on the original Crossroads Board and the Christian Benevolent Association. Glenn was a member of the Pella Lion's Club and enjoyed volunteering with the Pella Historical Society. He was a devoted lifelong member of First Reformed Church in Pella where he served for many years on the consistory.
Glenn and Shirley loved to travel and visited Europe, China and Alaska. They had lots of fun on their annual trip to Mazatlan with friends. As Glenn often said, "What happens in Mexico stays in Mexico!" He will be remembered for his sense of humor, his friendly disposition, his poems and his love for life.
On Sunday, August 30, 2020, he passed away at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella at the age of 87 years. Glenn is survived by his wife of 65 years, Shirley Borgman and his three children and their spouses: Dean W. Borgman and Jill (Groenendyk) of Pella, Iowa, DeeAnn Kaserer of Flagstaff, Arizona, and Dirk Jon Borgman and Sharon (Whale) of Conrad, Iowa. He has six grandchildren: Heather and Randy Reineke, Luke Borgman and Bailey, Samuel Kaserer, Jacob Kaserer, Jay Borgman and Elly Borgman; and three great- grandchildren who were the delight of his final years: Henry and Emma Reineke and Evert Borgman. Glenn leaves his youngest brother Dr. Robert Borgman and his wife Ann (Balstad) of Clear Lake, Iowa.
Glenn was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Konrad Kaserer; his parents, Worp and Minnie Borgman; his brothers and their wives: Howard and Carol Borgman, Stan and Jeanne Borgman and sister, Joyce and her husband, Bill Barker.
We will miss you, Glenn. As he always said, "I'VE HAD A GOOD LIFE."
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, September 2, at the First Reformed Church in Pella. Memorial contributions may be designated for Central College Scholarship Fund or First Reformed Church in Pella. Van Dyk - Duven Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.