Watch Bernice's Funeral Service

Bernice Bjerken, age 97, of Mahnomen, MN, died on Friday, September 2, 2022, at Viking Manor Nursing Home in Ulen, MN.

Bernice Clara (Nelson) Bjerken was born on April 17, 1925, to Olaf and Marie (Ulseth) Nelson. She was raised on a farm west of Mahnomen, attending Rainbow Country School, and graduating from Mahnomen High School in 1942. In her teenage years, she met and fell in love with Gilbert Bjerken. They were married on June 22, 1943, at First Lutheran Church in Mahnomen. After getting married, they moved to Sandy Hook, NJ where Gilbert was stationed in the Army Coastal Artillery Unit during WWII. While in New Jersey, Bernice worked in a factory making war material.

After the war, Gilbert and Bernice moved back to Mahnomen and bought a small farm west of town. There, they had two sons, Gerald and Gene. In addition to raising the boys, Bernice was an active partner in the farm operation which included milking cows, selling eggs and chickens, bailing hay, and driving the combine during harvest. Bernice was also active in First Lutheran Church, Ladies Aid, and quilting. She enjoyed the afternoon bowling league, Birthday Club, and Young at Heart Senior Citizen Group. She also enjoyed deer hunting and all types of family gatherings, which often included coffee and lots of card playing.

Bernice and Gilbert lived on the farm until December 2016, when they moved to the Halstad Nursing Home.  Gilbert passed away on January 8, 2017, and shortly after, Bernice moved into the Twin Valley Nursing Home until they closed. At that time, she moved to Viking Manor Nursing Home in Ulen, where she resided until her death. While in the nursing home she supervised the making of lefsa, played cards and bingo, and enjoyed 2 o'clock coffee time.

Bernice leaves behind two sons, Gerald of Coon Rapids, MN, and Gene (Cindy) of Mahnomen; her sister, Florence Quesnell of Blaine, MN; five grandchildren: Jasen Boit, Christi Boit, Steven (JoDee) Bjerken, Susan (Ross) Theissen, and Kristen LeClair; 11 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 74 years, Gilbert; her parents, Olaf and Marie Nelson; brothers: Norman and Floyd Nelson; sisters: Alma (Joe) Backen, Myrtle (Melvin) Hanson, Alice (Dick) Harington, and Hazel (LeRoy) Korlin; and two daughters-in-law: Geri Bjerken and Bonnie Bjerken.

May God bless all of you who made Bernice's life and last years more enjoyable.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at First Lutheran Church in Mahnomen. Visitation will take place one hour before the funeral at the church. Interment will be in First Lutheran Cemetery, Mahnomen.

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