Carol I. Bordner

Carol Irene (Feuser) Bordner, 93, of East Moline, Illinois, passed away peacefully on May 2, 2026 surrounded by her family in Newtown, PA.

Carol was born near Bellingham, MN on January 25th, 1933. It was a cold day with frost on the walls and ceiling. Her parents moved the family to East Moline, IL when she was 7. She was the youngest of 3 children, a child of the Depression era, and grew up modestly and learned early on the value of hard work and the importance of following your passions. From a young age, her God-given gift of playing piano by ear became obvious. By high school she was not only taking piano lessons but giving them as well. She won an award on a local radio show and her solo was recorded. Carol continued to follow her passion of playing the piano her entire life, taking piano lessons into her 80’s. Her passion and dedication not only brought her joy and entertained so many throughout her life, but fostered a love and appreciation of music throughout her entire family.

Carol graduated from United Township High School in 1951, and married Ralph Bordner on January 10th, 1953. They raised 3 children, Gary, Holly and Susan. Together, they operated Bordner’s Service Station in downtown East Moline. Carol kept the books, answered the phones, and was readily awake and available for her husband at all hours of the night as they ran a 24-hour towing business. Outside of the business, Carol was active in her church music program singing in the choir, playing in the bell choir, playing piano for Sunday school and vacation bible school. She also was an accomplished seamstress. All things aside, Carol’s focus has always been her family. She never missed a concert or activity. She encouraged her children to follow their passions, just as she’d done. She was there for all their high points and achievements, cheering them on, and more importantly, never leaving their side during times of hardship or disappointment.

When the kids were grown, Carol and Ralph enjoyed dancing, card club, church activities, and playing music together with their friends, “The Windjammers.” Their time together sadly was cut short when Ralph passed away in 1988. Carol’s strength and resilience at that point in her life, and all throughout her entire life, has been admirable.

After Ralph’s passing, Carol became even busier with her friends, family, and church. She was always up for a new adventure and enjoyed travelling with Sue around the world. She spent much time with Gary’s family in Minnesota, enjoying the outdoors with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She felt lucky to have Holly’s family nearby in Rock Island and was able to regularly share quality time with them as well as accompanying them on vacations. Sadly, when Holly became ill and passed in 2017, Carol never left her side.

Holidays with family, birthday parties and dinners with extended family were always a source of great enjoyment for Carol. Outside of her family, she enjoyed spending time with her dear friends. She was a good listener and dedicated companion who felt lucky to have some very special people in her life and was always there for them. Late night tea & cookie chats with Debbie and lunch visits with Jeannie were a great source of joy in Carol’s life.

In 2022, following some health scares, Carol moved to Pennsylvania to live with her daughter, Sue and family, where she resided until she passed. While in Pennsylvania, Carol continued to be a steady and loving support to Sue and family. She found new things to keep busy, enjoyed talking with friends on the phone, baking, making music with her grandson Alex, and spending time with her newest great grandchild, Ollie. She also enjoyed attending physical therapy and playing Chinese Checkers with two special friends/caregivers.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Bordner, parents Ottelia and Edward Feuser, daughter Holly Michel (Larry) and is survived by her loving family, including children, Gary Bordner (Donna) and Sue Dwornikowski (Greg), grandchildren, Anna Haman, Lindsey Bordner, Leah Michel, Jennifer Gaffney, and Alex Dwornikowski, and great grandchildren, Charlotte, Reid, & Mitchell Haman, and Oliver Gaffney.

A memorial service will be planned in the Quad Cities, IL for a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to, Grace Presbyterian Church, 2324 18th Ave, Rock Island, IL 61201 or to Ascension Lutheran Church