Lucille Caroline BJERKE

February 26, 1930 - May 2, 2025

Lucille Bjerke, age 95, passed away peacefully on May 2nd, 2025, at Sacred heart Hospital in Spokane, WA, with her family at her side. She was born February 26th, 1930, in Mahnomen, MN, to Gerhardt (Jerry) and Loretta (Laura Kirsch) Klinkhammer. She was their 6th child and was delivered by her father. Lucille grew up in the Mahnomen area and attended the country school.

On June 3rd, 1952, Lucille was united in marriage to Wilbur Oscar Bjerke at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Beaulieu, MN. The couple moved to Spokane, WA in 1955 where they raised 5 children.

Lucille was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Spokane, WA and a member of the altar society. She was also a member of Sons of Norway and TOPS, where she enjoyed camaraderie and lifelong friendships. She was also an Avon Lady for almost 55 years. As an Avon representative she was in the President's Club and Rose Circle. She was affectionately known as the "Sunshine Lady." Lucille maintained her relationships she built selling Avon long after retirement.

Her hobbies included playing cards (May I), gardening, word searches, bingo, socializing with family and friends as well as making sure everyone was safe and well fed. She loved music and was always singing around the house, church choir, at weddings and even sang Ava Maria on the radio!

She is survived by her husband of 73 years, Wilbur Bjerke; three daughters, LynnDee (Steven) Schmidt of Billings, MT, Janice (William) Downes of Stafford, VA, Christine (Joseph) Blashill of Spokane, WA; two sons, Edwin (Dawn} Bjerke, Gerhard (Jerry) (Roxanne) Bjerke both of Spokane, WA; 19 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren; her brother and sister-in-law, Raphael (Ray and Sandy) Klinkhammer of Mahnomen, MN; her sister; Cecilia Mazour of Mahnomen, MN; and her sister-in-law, Joyce Klinkhammer of Waubun, MN.

She was proceeded in death by her parents; five brothers, Alphonse, Clarence (Fritz), Joseph (Joey), Gerald and Donald (Butch); three sisters, Zeta Marie (Marie) Straub, Viola (Ole) Hand and Lenora Scott; four sisters-in-laws; and four brothers-in-laws.

Rosary service will be Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 7pm, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Spokane. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 1pm, also at St. Thomas More.

Her interment will take place on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at St. Joseph Cemetery, Spokane Valley, WA. Online memorial page can be found at www.holycrossofspokane.org

Lucille's Family would like to give thanks to the amazing and caring staff at Sacred Heart Hospital in both the ER and ICU, to our kind friends, neighbors, and extended family for their acts of kindness, love and sympathy