Robert "Bob" Leon Bjerke

Robert “Bob” Leon Bjerke, 83, of Hawley, MN, passed away Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at his home, after a short battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family and under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Bob was born on March 19, 1941, to Nels and Selma (Jensen) Bjerke at home during the Iconic Ides of March blizzard. He grew up on the family farm near Ulen, MN. Bob joined the Army in 1960 and was stationed in Germany for two and a half years. When he returned home, he helped his father on the family farm.

Bob met the love of his life, Susan Wallace, and they were married June 10, 1967, at St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church. Bob and Sue made their first home on Bob’s family farm. Bob and Sue then purchased their farm and home in rural Hawley in 1971.

Bob was a member of the 49ers Operating Engineers Union and worked for Midwest Excavating as a backhoe operator for over 30 years. Bob and Sue were founding members of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church. Bob was a Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus and very proud to serve.

Bob retired from Midwest Excavating in 2003. In retirement, Bob and Sue enjoyed traveling. They made two trips to Norway to visit extended family. They traveled to Italy and the Caribbean. They also made several trips to Branson, MO for Bob’s military reunions. Bob and Sue traveled around the United States taking in North Carolina, Washington and Maine and all the states in between.

Robert is survived by his wife of 57 years, Susan; children, Ennet (Gary) Sprunk, Hawley, MN, Teresa (Mark) Saunders, Fargo, ND, Melissa (Charles) Peterson, Moorhead, MN and Leon Bjerke, Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Colin Sprunk and Serena (Rafael) Graciano; great-grandchildren, Emerson Graciano and Allegra Graciano; siblings, Avis Pollock, Donna Rognlie, Niles (Shirley) Bjerke and Raymond Bjerke.

He was preceded in death by his parents and great-grandson, Fenyx Graciano.

Visitation will be Friday, January 24, 2025, from 4:30 P.M. to 6:30 P.M., with a prayer service beginning at 6:30 P.M., at Wright Funeral Home, Hawley, MN. Visitation will continue Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M., at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Hawley, MN. Interment will be at Hawley Cemetery.