Marland Maynard Bjerke

Monday, December 17, 2018 2:30 pm

Marland Maynard Bjerke, 91, of Spring Grove, passed away Dec. 15, 2018, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wis. Funeral services are Thursday, Dec. 20, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Spring Grove. Pastor Lane Zaffke will officiate. Friends may call Thursday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the church. Roble Funeral Home of Spring Grove is assisting the family with arrangements.

Marland was born Sept. 9, 1927, to Henry and Alfina (Ingvalson) Bjerke in Spring Grove, and grew up in rural Highlandville. He was baptized and confirmed at Highland Lutheran Church. He attended the Kjome country school and graduated from Decorah High School.

He married Marlys Erickson Feb. 6, 1949. For most of Marland’s career, he worked at Four-Square Coop/Midland/Cenex in Spring Grove, Minn. He also owned a portable feed grinding business for many years. After retiring from Cenex, he was a school bus driver for Spring Grove Schools. He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Sons of Norway, Commercial Club and Lions Club. He humbly received the Melvin Jones Award for Excellence in Service from the local Lions Club. Marland was a kind and generous person.

Marland is survived by his wife, Marlys, of nearly 70 years; and his five sons: Gary, Steven (Vickie), David (Jane), Brian (Leah) and Eric (Kristin). In addition to his brother Roger (Darlene) and brother-in-law, Roger (Elaine) Erickson, he also is survived by several grandchildren: Kelly Patton, Jamie (Eric) Bjerke-Thesing, Christopher (Rachel), Chad (Jamie), Nicholas (Jill), Brad (Mollee), Joshua (Jamie), Kai and Reid Bjerke; and several great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Jerome (Myrle) and Herbert Bjerke; and a sister, Mavis Solem; sister-in-law, Lois (Walter) Hovey; grandson, Jason; and great-granddaughter, Clara.