Bernard (Bob) Olaf Bjorgen, 88
Bernard (Bob) Olaf Bjorgen was born September 5, 1929 to Oscar and Louise (Thompson) Bjorgen in Elkhorn Township, North Dakota. He passed away peacefully October 16, 2017 in Spokane, WA at the age of 88 with family at his bedside.
In 1936, Louise passed away leaving Oscar to raise four young children Vivian 8, Bob 6, Clair 4, and Lyle 2. Times were very tough during the depression years but Oscar did the best he could with the help of nearby relatives and neighbors to raise the four children on a farm near Westby, Montana. Bob completed the 8th grade and then due to his father’s health issues, began doing the farming.
Oscar introduced Bob to Pearl in Crosby, ND. Bob and Pearl were married June 10, 1951. They had five children Landis 1952, Jean Louise 1953 (passed away soon after birth), Gail 1954, Colleen 1959, Virginia (Ginger) 1960. In 1956 Bob made his choice to serve God. His faith in God remained the priority for the rest of his life. In 1957 Bob and Pearl moved to the Flathead valley in Montana where they bought a farm. They made a living farming; the early years with cows, chickens and pigs. In 1964 they bought a dairy farm. Bob took pride in his herd of Grade A dairy cows feeding and taking good care of them. In 1972 they sold the dairy farm and Bob began a new career, building and remodeling houses. In 2001, Bob retired and they moved to Spokane, WA to be closer to family. Bob also provided and took good care of his family.
Through the years, Bob served on the school board in Elkhorn Township, he was president of the Chicken Association in Montana, and served on the board of directors for Consolidated Dairy’s in Ronan.
He is preceded in death by his parents Oscar and Louise Bjorgen, a sister Esther Louise, his brothers Clair and Lyle Bjorgen and his daughter Jean Louise, brother-in-law Harold Vance. He is survived by his wife, Pearl of Spokane, WA, son Landis Bjorgen, Spokane, daughters Gail (Dale) Stiteler, Spokane Valley, Colleen (Stan) Kindred, Hurricane, UT, Ginger Bjorgen, Spokane, WA. One sister Vivian Vance, Missoula, MT. Surviving also are 9 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren in Alaska, Nevada, Oklahoma and Washington as well as many, brothers and sisters-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday October 28, 2017 at 11:00 AM Ball & Dodd Funeral Home 5100 West Wellesley, Spokane, WA. Burial at Fairmont Memorial Gardens. A potluck luncheon to follow at Salk Middle School 6411 N. Alberta St. (Corner of Francis & Alberta). A memorial service in the Ronan, MT area is being planned for a later date.