Arthur M. Bjerken, age 90, of Hutchinson, MN, formerly of Mahnomen, MN, passed away on June 2, 2017, at Harmony River Living Center, Hutchinson, MN. Arthur Martin Bjerken was born at home in Pembina Township, Mahnomen, on June 25, 1926, one of eleven children born to Gust and Nettie (Olson) Bjerken. Arthur was baptized and confirmed in the First Lutheran Church in Mahnomen. As a young boy he attended the Mahnomen Public Schools. While growing up he worked for a farmer, where he did general farm work. While he was growing up, Art also enjoyed singing and playing guitar with his brothers and his dad. The boys played the guitar and his dad played the fiddle while they all sang. Art served in the United States Army during World War II. He was ordered to report for his pre-induction physical on November 5, 1944. His basic training took place at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Upon completion of this, Art was sent by ship to Leyte Island in the Philippines. While in the Army, he served as a Small Arms Weapons Mechanic. Art was Honorably Discharged on November 3, 1946 after having served as part of the 93 Bomb SQDN. On July 22, 1949, Art married Ardelle Johnson. To this union, ten children were born. They lived on a farm by Mahnomen where they had dairy cattle and raised other livestock. Art also worked for the REA Cooperative as a lineman. In the fall of 1963, Art moved to Ortonville, where he took a job with the City of Ortonville. A short time later, his family joined in Ortonville. Art later moved to Hutchinson, where he commuted back and forth to the cities for work. In Hutchinson, he also did handyman jobs. On July 6, 1976, Art married Arlys Spliess. They continued living in Hutchinson where he enjoyed his hobbies, one of which was creating things from wood. He made many garden ornaments and other items, which he gave as gifts to his children. He continued to play his guitar and sing. Art was also very active in the community and was Co-Founder of the D.A.V. Chapter. He felt a strong and patriotic need to help Veterans and those that were disabled. He was a former member of the Masons and also a member of Post #96 American Legion in Hutchinson. In July of 2012, Art entered the Harmony River Living Center, a place where he enjoyed visiting with everyone, listening to polka and country western music, and watching the daily news "current events" as he would say. Arthur loved his family greatly and always would end a phone conversation in the evening with the words, "don't let the goofies get you" and "I love you." He leaves behind his children: Linda (Rod) Spronk of Edgerton, MN, Ingrid (David) Ingle of Chaska, MN, Andrew (Peggy) of Hanover, MN, James (Robin) of Dilworth, MN, Jeanette (Don Davis) of Brookings, S.D., Arleigh (Mary Long) of Carlotta, CA, Matthew of Osakis, MN, and son-in-law, William "Bill" Van Hecke of Chaska; also, 15 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; six step great-grandchildren; and one step great great grandson. He is also survived by his sisters: Norma Johnson of Mahnomen, Jean (Robert) Hanson of Mahnomen, Lorraine (Allen) Peterson of Twin Valley, MN, Darlene McArthur of Detroit Lakes, MN, Gloria Fruend of Detroit Lakes, sister-in-law Bernice Bjerken of Twin Valley; and many nieces and nephews. Those who preceded him in death was his wife Arlys, also, Ardelle (Johnson Bjerken) Engebretson; his parents, Gust and Nettie; brothers, Julius and his wife Eleanor, Melvin, Lloyd and Gilbert; sister, Bernice and her husband Roy Backen; brothers-in-law, Roger Fruend and Russell Johnson. Three of his children also preceded him in death. They were Wayne Bjerken, Marlene Van Hecke and Phillip Bjerken whom he deeply loved and greatly missed. Funeral services for Arthur Bjerken will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, June 10, 2017, at the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel, Mahnomen, MN, with visitation one hour prior to service. Burial will take place in the First Lutheran Church Cemetery, Mahnomen, MN.