Merna A. Bjerke

Merna A. Bjerke, age 97 of Adams, ND passed away on Sunday, September 4, 2011 at the First Care Health Center of Park River. Merna A. Vigen was born on March 28, 1914, the daughter of the late Nils and Gina (Bolstad) Vigen. She attended the District 100 Silvesta Township School graduating from the 8th Grade. Following her education she worked on the family farm near Adams. She married Herman Bjerke on November 19, 1935 in Adams, ND. The couple lived and farmed near Adams. Herman passed away in 1952 and Merna moved to Grafton and began working in the ladies department at the Reylecks Department Store. Several years later she returned to Adams and worked for many years at the Johnson Store. She moved into the Good Samaritan Center of Park River in January of 2011. She was a member of Adams Mountain Lutheran Church and WELCA, a lifetime member of the Adams American Legion Auxiliary, a former member of the Women Professional Business Club as well as the Sigma Chi Mothers Club. She is survived by her son Harlynn Bjerke, Adams, ND, sisters: Eunice Borgeson, Park River, ND and Gilma McLean, Hillsboro, ND, sisters-in-law: Gladys Vigen, Adams, ND, Lillian Vigen, Hillsboro, ND, and Blanche Vigen, Dickinson, ND. Several nieces and nephews also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Herman, brothers: Glenn Vigen, Vernon Vigen, Albert Vigen, Lloyd Vigen, and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Christ (Anna) Sundvor, Carl (Olga) Bjerke, Knute (Dorothy) Bjerke, Magnus (Pearl) Bjerke, Raymond (Alice) Setness, Otto (Agnes) Bjerke, Vernon (Stella) Rustan, and Joe Bjerke. Funeral Services will be Thursday, September 8, 2011 at 10:30 A.M. at the Adams Mountain Lutheran Church of Adams, ND. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5-7 with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River. Friends may also call at the church for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the West Adams Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the Adams American Legion Auxiliary or the West Adams Cemetery Fund.