Joan R. Nelson's Obituary
Joan Ruth (Borgerding) Nelson, age 88, went home to be with Jesus on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. She joined the saints before her peacefully in Munster, IN, with her hands held high, her last words were, “Take me home,” as she breathed her last breath. God was faithfully with her from the beginning when she was born to Bessie (Vanderstelt) and Herman Borgerding on April 20, 1937. She grew up in Muskegon, graduated from Muskegon Heights High School in 1955 and graduated from Calvin College with a teaching degree in 1958.
Joan and Rodger met in 5th grade, were high school sweethearts and married on Thanksgiving Day, November 27th, 1958. They had a flourishing marriage of jokes, quirks, companionship, love and lots of kisses. She quickly became a mother to Mike and three years later, Kelli. She loved motherhood and enjoyed being home with them and raising them.
She then went on to teach for the Fruitport School System, where she worked for 33 years until her retirement. She loved her students and loved having her kids at school with her. Joan was known to be a go-getter and a socialite, so it’s no surprise she was involved in many societies and lots of volunteer work. Along with being a teacher, she was a member of the MEA, NEA and FEA. She was a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa for 35 years, as well as the Red Hat Society.
Most important to her was her relationship with Jesus, shown by her being a fervent prayer warrior for everyone around her, particularly her friends and family, as well as attending and serving in multiple areas of her church, Anchor Point Bible Church, formerly Berean Church. She served the Lord and his people by being a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, librarian, serving on the funeral lunches committee and participating in a variety of women's ministry functions, including Bible studies and being President of Women’s Joy Circle.
With all her groups, friends and service work, she still made her family a priority. She was a wonderful grandmother, having special outings and relationships with each one of her five grandchildren, as well as tenderly holding, loving and playing with her great-grandbabies.
Those who she loved dearly still on Earth include her son Mike and Judi Nelson, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Kristina and Andrew Padilla (Colin and Landon) and Jacob Nelson; her daughter Kelli and Ken Persenaire, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Kenny Persenaire, Kyle and JoAnna Persenaire (Sutton, Jude and Grace) and Kate and Andrew Scott (Eze, Riven, Adler and Baby); and her sister-in-law, Karen and Paul Bolhuis, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband Rodger Nelson; parents, Bessie and Herman Borgerding; brothers, Richard (Nona) Borgerding and Dave (Phyllis) Borgerding, niece Lou Borgerding, nephews Brian and Dick Jr. Borgerding; parents-in-law Katherine and Louis Nelson; brother-in-law, Mark Nelson; and great-grandson Aiden Scott.
To celebrate Joan’s life and to grieve together, a FUNERAL will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 11th, 2026 at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St, Norton Shores, MI, 49444, with VISITATION taking place an hour prior at 10:00 AM. Lunch will be served following the service.
For Memorial Contributions, Joan wanted to bless her church, Anchor Point Bible Church, as well as the Muskegon Rescue Mission. Please sign the family’s online guestbook and share memories with the family at https://sytsemafh.com
To view Joan's Service:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zZOZAuNXOM
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