Richard Ardell Bjerke

Richard A. Bjerke, 75, of Page, ND, died Tuesday, December 1, 2009, at his home. Richard Ardell Bjerke was born October 13, 1934 to Melvin and Magda (Otteson) Bjerke. He attended High School at Portland, ND, and served in the U.S. Army for 2 years. On April 19, 1956 he married Eleanor Katherine Johnson. The couple farmed northwest of Hunter, ND and in 1966 they moved and farmed near Ayr, ND. In 1999, Richard retired and the couple moved to Page. He continued to be active in farming, for the rest of his life. Richard was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ayr, and served on the church council. He was a 4-H leader for 15 years, served on the Page City Council and had been the Adjutant for the American Legion at Erie, ND for many years. Richard enjoyed his family, working on old machinery, and was always there to give a helping hand. He was well known for being patient and kind. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor of Page; 5 children, Larry (Sherry) Bjerke of Ayr, ND, Kathyrn (Mike) Mahoney of Longmont, CO, Pamela Gohdes of Fargo, ND, Ronald Bjerke of Peoria, IL, and Bradley (Cheryl) Bjerke of Peoria, IL; 12 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 4 sisters, Marcella Moen of Mayville, ND, Arlene Hanson of Minot, ND, Corrine (Floyd) Knudson of Mayville, and Marion Brasel of Blanchard, ND; and 2 brothers Selmer Bjerke of Halstad, MN, and Robert (Sharon) Bjerke of Clifford, ND; and 1 sister-in-law, Dorothy Grage of Mayville. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Herman and daughter-in-law Julia Bjerke. Memorials preferred to the Trinity Lutheran Church of Ayr, ND; Perry Lutheran Church Fund or Perry Cemetery Fund of Prtland, ND or the Heart Association. Please send memorials to Eleanor Bjerke in Page, ND. Visitation: 5-7PM with a prayer service at 7:00PM, Friday, December 4, 2009 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Page, ND, and one hour prior to the funeral service, on Saturday, at the church. Funeral Service: 11:00 am, Saturday, December 5, 2009 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Page, ND. Interment: Perry Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Portland, ND, with military honors by the American Legion of Erie. (Lindsey-Carlson Funeral Home)