VERNON BJORKLUND

BJORKLUND, VERNON
With heavy hearts, the Bjorklund family announces that Vernon W. Bjorklund died peacefully on Thursday, March 6, 2014 in Weyburn, SK. Vern was born on June 25, 1930 to Andrew and Inga Bjorklund, of Bromhead, SK.
He was baptized and later confirmed at Hamar Lutheran Church in Bromhead, SK. He grew up on the family farm, north of Bromhead. His father died in 1941 and Vern left school in 1943 to help his mother run the farm. Vern met Olga Dziubalo when she was teaching in Tribune, SK and they married on August 1, 1957. Sandra Lynn was born May 1, 1959. Pamela "Jill" was born December 25, 1961. Vern and Olga raised their family and farmed together for 25 years. Olga died in 1982. Vern married Esther Paul (Joice) on December 2, 1983. Her daughter, Arita became his third daughter. In 2005, the 100th anniversary of the Bjorklund family farm was celebrated with family and friends. In 2006, Vern and Esther retired from farming and moved to Weyburn, SK. Vern set an example by the way he lived his life. He was devoted to his church, serving in many capacities, such as president, deacon, caretaker, usher, handyman and builder. No job was too big or too small. He served the R.M. No. 7 Souris Valley for 24 years, 21 of those as Reeve. He was a member of the school, hospital, library and Credit Union boards. Vern was a quiet gentle spirit. He had a witty sense of humour and we all shared many laughs with Vern over the years. He enjoyed sports, particularly baseball and curling, as a participant and later as a spectator. Vern loved to camp and was an avid fisherman. He loved the farm, loved the outdoors, nature and gardening. He enjoyed crosswords and reading. He was renowned for his lefse making and many of us have his famous recipe. Vern had a keen interest in all levels of politics. He had a soft spot for animals, especially his horses, cats, and dogs. Vern liked to work with his hands and many of us treasure special pieces of his woodworking.
Left to remember and celebrate his life are: his wife Esther, Weyburn; his daughters: Sandra (Kelly) Gilchrist, Saskatoon, Jill (Stewart) Mitchell, St. Louis, SK, Arita (Dean) McPherson, Regina; grandchildren: Christopher (Lauren) Gilchrist, Stefan, Jayne, and Stuart Andrews, Kevin, Laurene, Rebecca, and Maria Mitchell, Isaac and Elan McPherson and Ashley Ottenbreit (Addison) and great-grandson Joshua Gilchrist (Geoffrey's son); brothers and sisters: Audrey (Jerome) Ordahl, Oungre, Rodney (Nadia), Gimli, MB, Lorne (Shirley) Bjorklund, Weyburn; brothers and sisters-in-law: Wilma Bjorndalen, Estevan, Bob (Hedy) Joice, Bromhead; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Andrew and Inga Bjorklund; stepfather Matt Zimmerman; first wife Olga; grandson Geoffrey Gilchrist.
A Celebration of Life memorial service for Vernon will be held on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. from Zion Lutheran Church, Weyburn, SK with Pastor Cicely McDougall and Marjorie McLeod, CLA, officiating. Interment to follow at a later date, Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn, SK. Honorary pallbearers will be all in attendance.
For family and friends so wishing, donations in memory of Vernon may be made to Hamar Lutheran Church, Box 117, Bromhead, SK, S0C 0N0, Canadian Lutheran World Relief, 600-177 Lombard Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R3B 0W5 or the Canadian Cancer Society, 1910 McIntyre St., Regina SK, S4P 2R3. Arrangements are entrusted to RD Family Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Weyburn, SK (848-0333 ~ 1-888-848-0333). Expressions of sympathy to the family may be sent to our website at www.rdfamilymemorialchapel.com
"Our family serving your family"