We are extremely saddened to learn of the recent and sudden passing of Dan Borland; a friend and colleague to all of us at FindJodi.com, Inc. He passed away in his hometown of Albert Lea, Minnesota on Sunday, February 24th, at the young age of 62.
I met and worked with Dan at KAAL-TV back in 2002 when I got my first job in television news. FindJodi.com, Inc. co-founder Gary Peterson and I worked alongside Dan as he helped shoot and scope some of The Huisentruit File in 2004. He even lent us his red Mazda Miata – just like the one Jodi owned – for use in our series.
And since then, Dan has stayed true to Jodi’s case; following every development, sending me updates from Southern Minnesota and North Iowa and keeping us updated on any missing person case developments in the area. He was our ‘boots on the ground’ in that region and kept us informed and really pushed and helped us try to find out what happened to Jodi. He was genuinely dedicated to the case.
Billboard unveiling. Dan is on the far right.
For several years, Dan would shoot video for our events planned for the anniversaries of Jodi’s disappearance. As the owner of Borland Videography, LLC, he was always behind the lens shooting projects or just videos for fun. He has shot wedding videos for a lot of former co-workers and friends. He really took a liking to Facebook Live and, as of late, would keep everyone informed of the massive amount of snow falling on his hometown of Albert Lea, Minnesota.
But it was the Jodi events like the Walk for Jodi and last years unveiling of the 4 billboards we unveiled for Jodi that really proved his dedication to the case. He never asked for favors, reimbursements for the expense to travel or to shoot video. He showed up, shot great video and sent it to me for safe-keeping and use in our archive. It was all in a selfless effort to help find Jodi.
Dan and his wife Linda (via Dan’s FB Page)
Dan has a wonderful family, his wife Linda, who he was married nearly 43 years. He has three sons Dana, Samuel and Quincy.
Dan was a character. He was funny, quirky, friendly and was always looking to help out. The trait that mostly comes to mind is how kind he was. He was always willing to help the young journalists who came through the doors at KAAL-TV and helped them craft their early work – far better than than what they could do themselves. He was a guiding light in a business full of butterflies, uncertainty and nervousness. There are countless tributes from journalists and those he helped and befriended on social media today.
The Borland Family (Image: Albert Lea Tribune)
I was looking back at my photo collection and came across some images from one of the first parties I attended with the ‘news crew’ back in 2003. The good ol’ days. There was Dan with his wonderful wife Linda posing for a picture. And countless others cracking jokes and having fun with the crew.
We’re sad to hear the news. 62 is far too young. But we are glad we knew Dan and were able to spend some great times with him. We appreciate all he has given our team and our efforts to find Jodi.
Thank you, Dan-O.
Rest easy, friend.
Here is more on Dan’s story from the Albert Lea Tribune.
Here are details regarding the visitation and funeral for Dan Borland.
Dan’s obituary can be found here.
Friday, March 1, 2019
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Bonnerup Funeral Service
2210 East Main Street
Albert Lea, Minnesota 56007
Saturday, March 2, 2019
2:00 PM
St. Theodore Catholic Church
315 E. Clark St.
Albert Lea, MN 56007
