Paul Victor Bjorklund

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Lincoln High School North Park University

Paul Bjorklund Obituary

Paul Victor Bjorklund The Rev. Paul Bjorklund died at Covenant Shores on Mercer Island March 23rd at the age of 94. He leaves his beloved wife of 67 years Beatrice, his daughters Carol (John) Duffus and Juliana Bjorklund, grandson Matthew (Cheryl) Duffus, granddaughter Anne (Frank) Stark, great-granddaughter Isabel Lucia Duffus, brothers Roy, Milton and Ronald Bjorklund, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was born September 10th, 1916 in Negaunee, Michigan to Anna Sofia and Anders Victor Bjorklund, Swedish-Finns who emigrated from Finland. He graduated from Lincoln High School, Augsburg College, and North Park Theological Seminary, was ordained as a Covenant minister, and served churches in Chetek Wisconsin, St. Paul, Pittsburgh, Orlando, and Chicago. Paul and his family moved to Everett when he was a toddler, then to Seattle in 1933 where at age 17 he met his future wife when they played trumpet and violin respectively in the orchestra at First Covenant Church. Paul was an accomplished gardener and artist and had a beautiful tenor voice. He was a pro at restoring old castoff furniture, finding many of the discarded pieces while walking the alleys of Chicago. After retirement Paul and Beatrice moved back to Seattle, settling in Ballard where Beatrice was raised, once again attending First Covenant Church. Paul was a charter member of both the Finn Room Committee of the Nordic Heritage Museum and the Board of the Swedish-Finn Historical Society. Paul and Beatrice moved to Covenant Shores Retirement Community fifteen years ago where they both enjoyed line dancing with the Antique Kids and Paul had a P-Patch, kayaked, took art classes, and mastered the computer. He continued to be a popular visiting pastor at the Finnish Lutheran Church in Seattle. Prior to his second stroke he was working on his first novel. Paul always got up at five in the morning to read scripture from his Swedish Bible. He loved his family, his friends, and his God. At his request there will be no service but remembrances may be made to North Park University, 3225 W. Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60625.

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Published by The Seattle Times on Mar. 27, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Paul Bjorklund

6 Entries

Jerry and Lis Chichester

April 18, 2011

Our dear friend Paul Bjorklund

When we met Juliana Bjorklund (Miss Julie) 17 years ago and she became a very dear friend of ours, we didn’t realize the extra treat we were in for, we got to meet her parents, Beatrice and Paul Bjorklund. Just like Miss Julie they became great friends of ours. It is hard to talk about one without the others, but let us concentrate on Paul.
Pastor Paul Bjorklund was probably the best and nicest Minister you could ever meet. You could not find a man more compassionate, generous and interested in peoples’ lives. No matter the subject you presented to him he would listen and make his thoughtful comments, always so kind and understanding and he would give a hearty laugh, if it amused him. We think back fondly to all the get-togethers at their places, at Miss Julie’s and at our summer cabin. Paul had a curiosity and a willingness to try new things. It was so enjoyable to help him with his computer and hear about his interest in writing. We had fun talking about Finland where his ancestors came from and his trips there and to Sweden, as we had lived in both countries.
Paul loved his wife Beatrice and his girls, Carol and Miss Julie, and he always had time to listen to ours and Miss Julie’s adventures. He knew and realized all the help and love they provided for him along the way. Thanks to Miss Julie’s great decoration skills Paul and Beatrice always lived in the nicest surroundings.
We admired Paul so much, he was always fun to be around. With Beatrice at his side he could face anything and we will never forget our visits to Covenant Shores. When Miss Julie and Doris, a good Bjorklund family friend, were there too, what fun and laughs we had talking about everything under the sun. There is always humor in the Bjorklund family and with Doris there is even more.
It is still hard for us to realize that we won’t hear Paul’s great laugh and see his happy face again. But that makes us more thankful for the memories of him. All we can say is that, Paul will be greatly missed, but we feel fortunate to have known him for these last 17 years, he taught us so much about life and set an example for us all.

Mark Nilson

April 5, 2011

It was a pleasure knowing Paul in these last six years. I will always remember him as a clear thinker, sharp dresser and a real churchman. He used to send me articles from the paper nearly every month. Often he would send me material that would help the church think about its mission in the future. I'm grateful for his counsel and his support.

Rev. Mark A. Nilson

March 29, 2011

The Board of the Swedish Finn Historical Society sends our condolences to the family. Paul was a dedicated worker in the cause of Swedish Finn immigrant heritage. He worked to strengthen the connections between Finland and Seattle after his retirement.

I personally admired his warmth and integrity, and his fluency in Swedish. He kindly officiated at a brief memorial at Norse Home for our nearly 100 year old aunt. He was a gracious man.
Syrene Forsman

Mark and Erin Bjorklund

March 27, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers to the entire family.

Carolann Driver

March 27, 2011

I've posted some photos of Paul & Beatrice, and also of Karin & Bert Sellin at the following link - you don't have to sign in, or buy anything, and you won't get spam email - (copy this link and paste it into your browser to view):

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/sharing/shareRedirectSwitchBoard.jsp?token=308325835212%3A835456656&sourceId=533754321803&cm_mmc=eMail-_-Share-_-Photos-_-Sharer

Carolann Driver

March 27, 2011

When Paul grew up in Everett, he became acquainted with the Nylunds (my great-grandparents Andrew and Alina Nylund and grandparents Walfred & Minnie, etc.) and I have a short piece of film that shows him at a picnic on the farm when his hair was black - a very dashing fellow.

Paul drove my grandmother Minnie and mother Gerrie all the way across country when Gerrie was a child, during WWII, to meet up with Grandpa at one of his new Navy stations. He was that kind of guy. Paul shared that he remembered Gerrie standing up in the back seat, singing, "You are my Sunshine".

I met Paul, Beatrice, and Julie at First Covenant Church in Seattle around 1990, where they welcomed me with love, warmth, and humor. Paul was a happy person, and not above embarrassing me in the middle of the narthex on my birthday with a rousing solo rendition of "Happy Birthday" in Swedish - complete with the "Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!" in full voice.

I was invited to dinner at the Bjorklund house, and was very amused at how Beatrice could rib him and leave him speechless - a very funny and enjoyable family. My condolences to Beatrice, Carol, Julie, and the entire family. I know if a service were held, there would be hundreds of people attending, but I know it would be difficult for Beatrice to get there, and I know his thought is for her above all. With Love and Respect - Carolann Driver. PS - Julie, be in touch - you can contact me through this guest book.

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