Name: Visitation for Joe T. Bjorn
Start: 2017-04-07T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-04-08T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Anderson Funeral Home - DeKalb

Joe T. Bjorn

Born: July 13, 1942; in DeKalb, IL

Died: April 4, 2017; in Port Charlotte, FL

Joe T. Bjorn, 74, of Punta Gorda, Florida, formerly of Sycamore, IL, died Tuesday, April 4, 2017 in Port Charlotte, Florida.

Joe was born in DeKalb on July 13, 1942 to S. Thomas and Harriet (Cornish) Bjorn. Joe attended DeKalb schools, as well as in Monmouth, Illinois and Burlington, Iowa. He was happy to return to school in his hometown, where he graduated from DeKalb High School in 1960. He attended NIU and moved to San Jose, California, for a brief time, but again returned to his roots in DeKalb. Joe married Jean M. Montgomery on February 8, 1964 at St. Mary Catholic Church in DeKalb.

Joe spent the majority of his working life in sales in the restaurant/food service business, until retiring as national sales manager for Carroll Coolers of Carroll, Iowa. A life in sales fit Joe's personality perfectly - he had the gift of gab, a broad smile, and a true interest in his customers complete satisfaction. And there were always a few good stories or jokes to be shared.

Joe was a member of Phi Kappa Theta fraternity and a lifetime member of DeKalb Elks, DeKalb Moose, and Knights of Columbus, in which he was Past Grand Knight for McHenry Council #1288. Friendships were important to Joe, and he found much pleasure in later years helping his high school classmates and fraternity brothers stay in touch with each other.

Survivors include his wife of fifty-three years, Jean; sons, Jeff (Erin Fitzpatrick-Bjorn) of Portland, Oregon, and Ryan of Menasha, Wisconsin; several nieces and nephews, and an aunt and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Nancy Harding; his brother, James M. Bjorn; his two nieces, Jody and Heidi Swanstrom; and a nephew, Eric C. Montgomery.

A Funeral Mass of Celebration will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 29, 2017, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 321 Pine Street, DeKalb, with Fr. Paul Lipinski of The Church of St. Mary in Sycamore officiating. Burial will take place immediately following, at Fairview Park Cemetery in DeKalb, with a reception to follow. Visitation will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 28, 2017, at Anderson Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily-Chronicle on Apr. 22, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Joe Bjorn

Sponsored by Anderson Funeral Home - DeKalb.

13 Entries

Giacomo Leone

March 30, 2022

I have recently been thinking of Joe and his humor and humanity. I related several stories about him from college and after. I hold his memory in my heart and mind. With love - Giacomo

Maureen Gerrity

June 10, 2017

Dear Jean,
Sending you & your family belated but heartfelt sympathies in the loss of your beloved Joe. May your most cherished memories be a comfort to you always.

May 10, 2017

Dear Jean: I was so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. What great memories I have of our Phi Kap days together. It was a pleasure to be at your wedding. Hard to believe it was 53 years ago! May God bless you and your Family. Sincerely, Pat Humpal

Jim Swanstrom

May 9, 2017

With many loving memories...

April 25, 2017

So very sorry for your loss. I know God will help you to endure because he cares for you ( 1Peter5 : 7 ).

April 24, 2017

Jean, my condolences to you and all of your family. Joe was a good friend back in the day. Best,
Bill Hudson

Jim & Charlotte Kirby

April 24, 2017

Jean and family, our condolences on the loss of Joe. Years ago we had good times and many laughs.

Dorothy Bartels

April 22, 2017

I only knew Joe for a short time but really enjoyed having both of you for neighbors. Everyone in the neighborhood enjoyed stopping by and talking with Joe in the "Man Cave" he had established in the corner of the garage. I know he will be missed by all who knew him.

JoAnn Japuntich Cutrara

April 20, 2017

Dear Jean and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Joe was quite a guy and you, Jean, his perfect spouse, helping him with all of 'Class of '60' functions and his every need. You are so special.
God bless and hold you all, now and forever.
Love and prayers,
Sam and JoAnn (Japuntich) Cutrara

Lonnie, Kathy, Dale and Robbie

April 18, 2017

To Jean and all the family, we were all so sad to hear of Joe's passing. We will miss his humor, his laugh, his smile. Please know we'd love to give you a big hug if we could, and that we've been thinking of you

Joe Japuntich

April 13, 2017

You are all in my prayers

Richard & Andi Montgomery

April 12, 2017

Words are hard to find for losing someone who has been in the family since I was a teenager. Joe fought valiantly against the disease that took him in the end. May he find peace and joy with family who were taken from us along the way. Let his good memories surround us.

Giacomo and Beth Leone

April 12, 2017

Dear Jean and Family, My sincerest condolences for your loss. Joe was a great friend, and kept his humor through all I witnessed. God Bless him, sorry for the delay, but going through medical things. Giacomo and Beth Leone
Love to all. Joe has been prayed for the the Knights of Columbus in Austin.

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