Bernice Orabelle Bjergum

Bernice Orabelle Bjergum was born April 1, 1920, to Theodore and Olga Flatten Johnson at their home near what is now Wold Strawberry Farm, rural Houston County.  Bernice was baptized May 30, 1920, by Rev. C.L. Hocking at the United Methodist Church of Mabel and confirmed in the same church in 1932.

Bernice worked at the Welch dairy farm near Mabel, Minn., and at Mansfield Manufacturing in Spring Grove, Minn.  On April 14, 1938, Bernice married Arthur Bjergum in Decorah, Iowa.  After marrying Art, Bernice read for the minister and joined Faith Lutheran Church of Black Hammer at the same time as Lois Bergsrud Morken.  Bernice and Art had two children, Roger and Judy.  Bernice and Art farmed in the Spring Grove area for about 30 years. They were one of the first couples to live in the new Spring Grove Manor, where Bernice continued to live for about 25 years after Art passed away.  Bernice cordially welcomed visitors and always shared a homemade meal.  Many fondly remember her homemade doughnuts, from-scratch angel food cakes, Sally Ann cookies and more.

Bernice will be remembered for sending greeting cards, of which birthday and anniversary cards were received about a week early.  She always wanted to let people know she was thinking of them.   Bernice loved to read anything she could get her hands on – newspapers, catalogs, periodicals from the book rack at the home and liked to do crossword puzzles.  Her smile and pleasant personality will be missed by all who met her.

Bernice passed away February 1, 2018, at Gundersen Tweeten Care Center in Spring Grove, having been a resident there for 12 years.

A sincere thank you to everyone for your kindnesses shown to Bernice while she lived in the Spring Grove Manor and at  Gundersen Tweeten Care Center, especially Rev. Liptack, Sharra, Asher, Josiah and Evangeline.

Survivors include a daughter, Judy Distad; daughter-in-law LaVonne Bjergum, grandchildren: Jackie (Dan), Bonnie (Mark), Lloyd (Irene) Bjergum, Jeanne (Bob) Mulder and Alice Bjergum; great-grandchildren:  Briannna, Cory, Haley, Will, Kaitlin, Ashlee, Greg (Megan) Mulder, Jessica Mulder, Jacob Mulder, Samantha Mulder, Katie Bjergum, Lacie Bjergum; a sister,  Doris Westby; nieces, nephews and friends; and a cousin, Irene Rice

Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, husband Arthur Bjergum, December 15, 1982; son, Roger Bjergum, October 2, 2005; son-in-law Sterling Distad, December 17, 2015; sisters  Lucille (Ervin) Peterson, Harriet Johnson, and Helen (Gerald) Erickson, and brother-in-law  Shelby Westby.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 10, 2018, at Faith Lutheran Church of Black Hammer, rural Spring Grove, at 1 p.m., with visitation at the church beginning at 11:30 a.m., prior to the funeral service.

Rev. Leonard Liptack will officiate the service and burial will be in the church cemetery following the service.  In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Faith Lutheran Church of Black Hammer or a charity of your choice.

Roble Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.