Marland Maynard Bjerke

September 9, 1927 - December 15, 2018

Marland Maynard Bjerke, 91, of Spring Grove passed away December 15, 2018 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Marland was born September 9, 1927 to Henry and Alfina (Ingvalson) Bjerke in Spring Grove, and grew up in rural Highlandville, Iowa. 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 on February 6, 1949. For most of Marland’s career, he worked at Four-Square Coop/Midland/Cenex in Spring Grove, Minnesota. 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 is also 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.