Thief River Falls – John Bjerken, age 77, of Thief River Falls, passed away on Thursday, January 27, 2022, at Thief River Care Center, Thief River Falls, surrounded by family.
John Lloyd Bjerken was born September 2, 1944, in Mahnomen, the son of Julius and Eleanor (Walz) Bjerken. He grew up in the area and graduated with the Class of 1962 from Mahnomen High School. John furthered his education at a business college in Fargo, ND, and immediately entered the work force.
On May 15, 1965 John was united in marriage to Judith Hasz at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Mahnomen. The young couple made their home in Thief River Falls for a short time, before John’s employment relocated them. They lived in several communities including Minot, ND, Fargo, ND, Madison, WI, Chicago, IL, Minneapolis and various other cities in Illinois and Minnesota before settling in Kansas City, MO, in 1979. The couple spent many years in Kansas City before John retired in 2003 to care for his wife. Judy passed away on May 15, 2003, and John returned to Thief River Falls, where he has lived since.
John was a people person, always visiting with friends and strangers alike. His employees respected and admired him, and his family loved him. Any time spent with family was time well spent and he often traveled to be with his children and grandchildren.
John enjoyed the great outdoors and the activities it brought like fishing, hunting, spending time at the lake and taking care of the hunting shack. He was quick witted and had a great sense of humor. John also enjoyed playing cards, Bingo and “Happy Hour.” He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
John is survived by two sons, Brent (Mary Beth) Bjerken of San Antonio, TX, and Terrance (Charlene) Bjerken of Tampa, FL; one daughter, Carmen (Colin) Hines of Kansas City, MO; eight grandchildren, Jordan, Abigail and Rose Bjerken, Jacqueline, Jonathan and Jessica Bjerken, Emily Singer and Levi Hines; a very special friend, Ruthie Rystad of Thief River Falls; one brother, Dennis (Shirley) Bjerken of Moorhead, MN; one sister, Deloris (Ron) Winter of Thief River Falls. In addition to his wife, Judy, he was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law, Evelyn Opgrand; one brother and sister-in-law, Benedict (Virginia) Bjerken; sister-in-law, Kathy Eggen; brother-in-law, John Tracy; a nephew, Brian Bjerken; a great niece, Abigail Winter and a great nephew, Tyler Borgen.
Mass of Christian Burial will take place Thursday, February 3, 2022, at 2 p.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Mahnomen. Visitation will take place Wednesday, February 2, 2022 from 5 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service and Rosary beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Anderson Family Funeral Home in Mahnomen. Visitation will continue one hour prior at the church. Burial will be in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery, Mahnomen.
Please feel free to sign the guestbook, send condolences and view other opportunities which may be available. The funeral will be recorded and available for viewing a short time after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.
A00003B2022FB02