Randall And Doris Bjerken

Palmer residents Randall and Doris Bjerken, ages 50 and 51, died unexpectedly while on a trip to Scottsdale, Ariz., with the Assembly of God Church.

Randall was born Oct. 23, 1959 in Moorhead, Minn., son of Robert and Sharon (Allen) Bjerken. Doris was born Jan. 1, 1961, in Woodland, Calif., daughter of Edward and Emma (Leno) Kreiger.

A memorial service in honor of Randall and Doris will be 3p.m. Friday, May 13, 2011, at Colony High School gymnasium, 9550 E. Colony School Way, Palmer.

Randall was the pastor at the Matanuska Assembly of God church, and his wife, Doris, worked for Colony High School as an administrative secretary. They will be terribly missed by the community where they touched so many lives.

Randy served our country in the U.S. Army as a military policeman. He attended Trinity Bible Institute, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree; his wife, Doris, received her associate's degree. They moved to Alaska in 1995 and made their home in Palmer. They enjoyed hunting and fishing together, and Doris enjoyed gardening at their home in Palmer.

Their children said they were blessed to know them as not only their parents but also as the people who instilled the values within each of them; they are comforted by the example to live a life greater than life itself through their extended kindness -- they reached countless souls across the globe with uncompromising selflessness.

"We thank God that having lived life as one, they are able to walk through the gates of Heaven hand in hand. Though they will be missed and loved by their children and family, including their church family, we know that we will be caught up in the clouds with them one day.

We Love you Mom and Dad -- your children."

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Emma Kreiger. They are survived by their children, Chris, Corey, Courtney, and Kenzie Bjerken all of Palmer; Randy's mother, Sharon of Moorhead, Minn., and father, Bob Bjerken of Scottsdale, Ariz.; brothers, Kevin and his wife Maria of Minneapolis, Minn., and Shawn and his wife Kara of Lake Park, Minn.; Doris' brothers, Samuel Kreiger of Grand Forks, N.D., Jerry and his wife Madonna Kreiger of Sioux Falls, N.D., and Duane Kreiger and his wife Cindee of Moorhead, Minn.; sisters, Sally Entzi of Ellendale, N.D., Marilyn and her husband Merlin of Hazre de Grace, Md.; and Violet Carson-Kreiger of Walhalla, N.D.

If you would like to assist the family with expenses, an account has been established the "Bjerken Donation Account," Acct. #1600348, which may be made at any AlaskaUSA Federal Credit Union. The family was cared for by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory Wasilla.