Robert A Bjerke

Robert Alvon Bjerke, 83 of Portland, N.D., passed away on December 29, 2025 at home.

Robert was born to Melvin and Magda (Otteson) Bjerke on December 18, 1942 at 2 lbs and 12 ounces as the youngest of eight and proved he was tough from the start. He grew up and attended classes at Edendale 1 (walking up hill both ways and trapping in the river along the way).

Robert married Sharon Schreiner on August 22, 1963 at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Mayville, ND. They spent their first winter in Finley, ND, where Robert worked as a mechanic. In the spring, they returned to the family farm outside Clifford, N.D., where they raised 3 children: Michael, Angela and Brian. Robert loved farming and ranching with milk and beef cows along with pigs and sheep. He also worked at American Crystal Sugar and drove semi for various companies through the years until more exclusively Land O Lakes later Winfield Solutions where he also operated chemical distribution until his retirement in 2010.

Robert and Sharon worked together on the farm with their children and later both drove semi and chemical distribution off the farm. Robert was a farmer, truck driver, builder and fabricator. Farming was a priority but he was always building, fixing and creating. He rebuilt the entire farmhouse, built sheds and did all his own repairs. They spent time at Golden Lake and Robert loved driving the boat and was always willing for one more trip around the lake. Together they entertained many friends and relatives and spent hours teaching and pulling skiers, tubes and boards.

In 2011, Robert and Sharon moved off the family farm into Portland. Robert continued to visit the farm regularly, fencing and helping where he could. Always having been a farmer he still planted trees and garden plants. He built many sheds of all sizes at the farm, in Portland and helped build and finish sheetrock, bathrooms, floors and even painting/texturing. In town, he spent hours meticulously mowing the oversized lawn, restored a tractor and motorcycle. He would fix lawn mowers or whatever else wasn’t working. His favorite pass time was to visit and could have a conversation with anyone and most anywhere. His hat was likely kittywampus but balancing sideways on his head and he was certainly using his notorious “yes sir” numerous times in each conversation.

Robert is survived by his wife of 62 years: Sharon Bjerke; children: Michael (Ramona) Bjerke of Finley, N.D., Angela (Chad) Lindstrom of Apple Valley, M.N. and Brian Bjerke (Lona Flaten) of Clifford, N.D.; grandchildren: Tracy Bjerke, Michelle (Ross) Sivertson, Brianna Lindstrom (Yuma Herrera), Alexander Lindstrom (Claire Anderson), Melissa (Lionel) Lizamore, Jason Giedd and Adam Giedd; two great granddaughters: Isabella Bjerke and Teagan Lizamore; sister: Corrine Knudson; two sisters-in-law: Dorothy Grage and Eleanor Bjerke and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents: Melvin and Magda Bjerke; brothers: Sam, Richard and Herman Bjerke and sisters: Marcella Moen, Arlene Hanson and Marion Brasel.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, January 5, 2026 at Perry Lutheran Church of rural Portland.

Burial will be at Perry Lutheran Church Cemetery in the Spring of 2026.