Dorothy Florence Bjerke

Dorothy Florence (Mrs. Gilman) Bjerke, age 76 of rural Bradley, died Tuesday morning, June 29, 2004 in the Lake Area Hospital at Webster after a brief illness. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 2, 2004 at 10AM in the Calvary Lutheran Church near Bradley with Minister Marion Grimes officiating. Burial will follow in the Church cemetery. Casketbearers will be Aaron and Anthony Bjerke, Alissa and Jarvis Reidburn and Chris and Amy Sass. Honorary Casketbearers will be Caitlyn, Jorgan, Brooklyn and Adrien Bjerke, Olivia Sass and Lydia Reidburn. Music will be provided by Marvine Obermeier, Wendy Christman, David & Carol Finstad and Tenny Bjerke. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 6-8 PM at the Furness Funeral Home in Clark and 1 hour prior to services at the Church Friday morning. She was born at Clark, SD on March 10, 1928, the daughter of Hjalmer and Elsie (Peterson) Hilmoe. The family moved to a farm NW of Bradley when she was a young girl. She attended school in Bradley, graduating in 1946. She taught country school near Round Lake in Clark County for 2 years. On May 29, 1949 she was united in marriage to Gilman Roy Bjerke at the Crocker Lutheran Church. Gilman affectionately called his bride of over 55 years Florence. The couple has lived and farmed their entire married life within about a mile radius of Calvary Church. She was a member of the Crocker Lutheran Church and its womens groups. Some of her fondest moments were spent outdoors in the garden, taking care of her animals and mowing the yard. She also enjoyed crafting and quilting. Dorothy loved all of Gods creatures, but did not have really any time for snakes. She will long be remembered for her egg coffee and oatmeal raisin cookies. Among survivors who are grateful for having shared in her life are her husband Gilman of Bradley, sons, Allen Bjerke and wife Pam and Bob Bjerke and wife Lori all of Clark, 8 grandchildren, Aaron & Anthony Bjerke, Amy Sass, Alissa Reidburn, Caitlyn, Jorgan, Brooklyn and Adrien Bjerke and 2 great-grandchildren, Olivia Sass and Lydia Reidburn. She also leaves a sister, Verla Des Lauriers and husband Jerry of Huron, Nieces, Nephews including a special Nephew, Ronald Bjerke of Watertown and hosts of other relatives and friends.