Nadene Bork

BORK — Nadene (Thompson), 98; born Aug. 22, 1922, Fruitland, Washington; died Jan. 11, 2021, Pendleton, Oregon. Surviving: spouse, Herbert; son, Stephen Bork; 2 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Nadene was born on August 22, 1922, in Fruitland, Washington, to John and Ethel Sewell Thompson. She died on January 11, 2021, in Pendleton, Oregon. Nadene spent her early childhood in Fruitland, Washington, moving to the Yakima Valley in 1927 -- first to Outlook and then to River Bend Farm near Granger.

She met Herbert Bork at Walla Walla College (now Walla Walla University) in 1941 and the relationship flourished while teaching school together in 1946 after Herbert returned from serving in WWII. The couple were married in 1947 and graduated from WWC in 1951.

Nadene taught elementary school, primarily 1st grade, for 38 years for the Upper Columbia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and she taught countless students to read while in first grade at Pendleton Junior Academy/Harris Junior Academy in Pendleton, Oregon.

Prior to her retirement in 1988, she received the Zapara Award for teaching excellence recognizing her many years of service to children and Christian education. She was a lifelong member of the Seventh-day Adventist church. After retirement, she spent many years working alongside Herbert on their ranch in Nolin, Oregon, gardening and beekeeping.

She spoke with saddlemakers from all over the world, took orders for hardware and attended leatherworker trade shows for their business, Bork Saddlery Hardware. She especially enjoyed camping, music, oil painting and family gatherings.

She is survived by Herbert, her husband of 73 years of Pendleton, Oregon; son, Stephen and daughter-in-law, De Ann; grandson, Michael with wife, Breanna and their children, Alexandria and Annika; and grandson, Benjamin; all are from Benton City, Washington.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Harris Junior Academy in Pendleton in Nadene Bork's name.