James L. Borcherding, 80, of Belmond, passed away Thursday, March 9, 2017 at Iowa Specialty Hospital in Belmond. Funeral service for James L. Borcherding will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 304 West Main Street in Latimer with Pastor Travis Berg officiating. Burial will take place at St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery in Latimer. Visitation for James L. Borcherding will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. on Monday, March 13, 2017 at Ewing Funeral Home in Belmond and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday. James Lester Borcherding was born on September 7, 1936 to Lester A. and Martha W. Borcherding at the Lutheran Hospital in Hampton and was baptized September 27 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hampton by Rev. George Koch. At an early age, he moved with his family to a farm north of Latimer when his dad began farming. James graduated from Franklin Consolidated High School in 1955. His class was the first class to go through the new school. In high school, he was active in all musical activities. He was selected to be part of the All-State Chorus in 1954. After graduation, he enrolled in Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota. At Bethany, he was selected as a member of the concert choir. At Bethany, he also received 2 years of organ instruction and graduated in 1957 Following graduation, he enrolled in Mankato State College to pursue a degree in business administration and economics. While at Mankato State, James was active in Gamma Delta and was asked by a pastor to play for services. At Gamma Delta, he met his future wife Audrey Buegler. He graduated in March of 1959 and was employed by the First National Bank in Mankato, Minnesota. James was united in marriage to Audrey Buegler on September 6, 1959 in Blue Earth, Minnesota. After several months at the bank, he was offered and accepted the teacher position at St. Paul Lutheran in Truman, Minnesota where he also directed the 5th – 8th grade choir. After two years, James decided that his future was in business and moved his family to Mankato, Minnesota and later to Latimer and Belmond, Iowa. Over the years, he was employed by We 3 Grocery Stores, Belmond Motors, and owned the Dairy Sweet Drive In in Belmond before his retirement. He was also a regular organist for several congregations over the many years. James is survived by his two daughters Valerie (Jeffrey) Bovee of New Ulm, MN and Vonda (Alan) Junck of Ames; six grandchildren, Allison, Jessica, and Michael Bovee and Taylor, Rachel, and Scott Junck; and 7 loving nieces: Nancy, Susan, Sara, Kathie, Rhonda, Linda, and Karen. He is preceded in death by his wife Audrey; and parents and sister.