Kai Snellman Bjorkquist

Kai Snellman Bjorkquist, 81, of Ironwood, passed away peacefully on the afternoon of Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital.

Kai was born on September 8, 1943, in Ironwood to Arvid M. and Ella S. (Snellman) Bjorkquist. He graduated from Luther L. Wright High School and earned an associate's degree from Gogebic Community College in Ironwood. He also earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Instructor of Mathematical Methods from Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin, and later received a Master's of Arts in Education degree in secondary education from Northern Michigan University in Marquette.

Kai dedicated his career to teaching mathematics in Elroy, White Lake, and Montreal, Wisconsin; in St. Edward, Nebraska; at Marty Indian School in Marty, South Dakota; at the Ironwood Catholic School in Michigan; and served as a substitute teacher at numerous other local schools in Wisconsin and Michigan. Kai was particularly proud to receive the 1970 White Lake School Yearbook Dedication award, "in appreciation for all of the help and faithful service [he has] rendered [at White Lake]". Kai brought his passion for teaching home; he and his (former) wife, Caroline, homeschooled their four children. Additionally, he could often be found solving calculus and trigonometry proofs for leisure. He was also an avid musician and served as an organist at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Bethany Covenant Church (both in Ironwood, Michigan), and the First Presbyterian Church in Hurley, Wisconsin, collectively for more than thirty years.

His greatest joys were sharing how proud he was of his children and grandchildren, along with his beloved dogs and horse, Tawny.

Kai is survived by his children, Matthew Smith (Rora) of Spring, Texas; Johan (Lara) Bjorkquist of Aurora, Colorado; Angelica (Justin) Van Goor of Columbia, Missouri; and Kara (Chad) Bucknell of Bessemer, Michigan; his brother, Albert Bjorkquist and family of Wilmington, North Carolina; his former wife, Caroline Bjorkquist of Mercer, Wisconsin; and nine grandchildren, Sloane and Madison Smith; Brynn and Caleb Bjorkquist; Erik, Autumn, and Abigail Van Goor; and Kailey and Victor Bucknell. He is further survived by other friends and relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by his twin sister, Beatrice Bjorkquist, in childhood.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ironwood, with Pastor Nicole Hanson-Lynn officiating. A Celebration of Kai's life will follow in the church hall for a time of food and fellowship. Burial will take place at Sunset Acres in Ironwood Township.