Ivamae Bjerke

IVAMAE BJERKE Ivamae Bjerke, 84, Buxton, ND, passed away Monday, February 15, 2016 in the Luther Memorial Home, Mayville, ND. Ivamae Johnson was born April 24, 1931, the daughter of Gust and Violet Johnson. She was a lifelong resident of Buxton, ND. Ivamae was a teacher in the early 1950s, teaching grades 1 thru 8 in the rural Buxton country schoolhouses. Ivamae married her high school sweetheart, Duane Bjerke on July 29, 1951. They farmed west of Buxton for 22 years and also had a gravel business. In 1978 Ivamae became a licensed Realtor. She was one of the top producing Realtors in the state of North Dakota. Ivamae was the recipient of many regional and national awards with the real estate company Belmont Gallery of Homes. She retired in 1992 after a difficult battle with lymphoma and had battled health issues ever since. Ivamae was a great cook and baker. She was known in Buxton for her homemade cinnamon rolls and perfectly made rosettes, sandbakkels and krumkake. Ivamae is survived by her husband, Duane; one daughter and two sons, Wendy and Gale Haisley, Curt and Rhea Bjerke, and Tracy Bjerke; 16 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and 3 more great grandchildren on the way. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gust and Violet Johnson; brother, Lavern Johnson; and two sons, Jerry Bjerke and Terry Bjerke. Memorial services will be Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 2:00 PM in the Luther Memorial Home Chapel, Mayville, ND. Visitation will be held from 12:00 till 2:00 PM in the Luther Memorial Home Chapel.